Cable computer termination connector and sealing method
OwnerBlaine L. Broussardinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved termination connector for seismic cable, the improvement including a reduced rigid length and improved flexibility by making connector to cable conductor splice connection within the bend restrictor, further reducing failure due to lateral stress through the use of a split collar and sleeve arrangement for connecting the connector's rotatable nut assembly to the connector body. The instant connector improves pin to cable makeup with improved pressure compensation splice connection process.
Claims11
An improved termination connector for seismic cable, inline computer connection of the type having a plurality of pins for mating with an electronic apparatus located at intervals along an underwater seismic cable, the improved connector assembly comprising:
- a) a rotatable nut assembly;
- b) a pin connector member fixed within a portion of said nut assembly;
- c) a metal, tubular, connector body member having an external flange with a plurality of transverse holes therein, said body member being matable with said nut assembly;
- d) a flexible, polymeric bend restrictor molded around a portion of said tubular body member;
- e) a split collar and sleeve connecting said nut assembly to said connector body member;
- f) a means located within said split collar and sleeve for preventing rotation of a portion of said nut assembly relative to said connector body member;
- and
- g) a sealing boot molded in-place around a portion of said bend restrictor opposite said tubular body.
A sub-sea seismic cable connector assembly and cable termination connection comprising:
- a) a sub-sea seismic cable having a plurality of conductors of varying size sealed inside a polymeric jacket;
- b) a flexible, elongated, tubular, polymeric bend restrictor having proximate and distal ends and a tapering external body configuration with a plurality of grooves therein;
- c) a metal sleeve member molded internally and longitudinally adjacent said proximate end and a portion of a tubular connector body member molded internally and longitudinally adjacent said distal end, an exposed portion of said connector body member further comprising an external flange having transverse holes therein;
- d) a means for retaining a portion of said seismic cable within said bend restrictor;
- e) a connector pin member having a plurality of wire leads sealed and extending therefrom;
- f) a means for connecting and sealing at least one of said wire leads to at least one of said conductors in said seismic cable;
- g) a means for compression sealing said means for sealing;
- h) a rotatable nut assembly having a rotating portion and a non-rotatable tubular portion matable with said connector body member;
- i) a split collar and sleeve means for coupling said rotatable nut assembly and said connector body member,
- j) a means located within said split collar and sleeve for preventing rotation of non-rotating portion of said nut assembly relative to said connector body member;
- and
- k) a molded in place polymeric boot, molecular bonded to said bend restrictor and said polymeric jacket.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.