Connecting apparatus for electro-acoustic devices
AssigneeBAE Systems Aerospace Inc.
InventorsJames A. Culbert, William H. Dexter, II, Warren J. Dickie, Edward Guida, Anthony Longabard
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Abstract
Modified configurations for electrical connectors to ceramic transducers are designed to reduce failure rates due to fatigue during transducer operation. These modifications eliminate or reduce one or both of the problems causing the fatigue, tensile forces acting on electrical wires connected to ceramic electrodes and unreliable solder joints. Star and pin configurations of wire soldered to ceramic transducers control the position of the wires, thus reducing the tensile forces on the wire. Plug connectors use pressure contacts between the ceramics, eliminating the need for solder joints.
Claims16
An electro-acoustic apparatus that vibrates during operation, said apparatus comprising:
- an electrically conducting surface having a direction of vibration;
- and
- a moveable electrical connector in pressure contact with said surface;
- wherein said connector is positioned to move in conjunction with said surface in said direction of vibration and maintain contact with said surface when said surface vibrates.
A plug connector apparatus for a transducer, said apparatus comprising:
- a core having two sides, said first sides being dimensioned to receive cylinders having stripe electrodes;
- a plurality of slots in said sides to correspond to said stripe electrodes in said cylinders;
- and
- a plurality of metal electrical contacts, said contacts being inserted into said slots;
- wherein said metal electrical contacts are alternatively linked to form positive and negative connections, and wherein said cylinders slide into said sides such that said cylinders make electrical connections to said contacts through pressure contact.
A transducer with a plug connector apparatus, comprising:
- a pair of ceramic cylinders;
- a plurality of stripe electrodes on said pair of ceramic rings;
- and
- a plug connector first and second sides and having edge contacts in pressure contact with said stripe electrodes;
- wherein said pair of ceramic rings fit onto said first and second sides of said plug connector, and said edge contacts in pressure contact with said stripe electrodes form an electrical connection.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.