Rocket-launcher docking system
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsBuddy R. Paul, Greg W. Klein
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrical connector that avoids some of the disadvantages associated with electrical connectors in the prior art. In particular, the illustrative embodiment of the present invention uses spring-loaded contacts to maintain connection in the presence of the vibration associated with a rocket launch, and also includes an environmental seal and electro-magnetic shield so as to provide an environment for the electrical contacts that is isolated from the ambient environment and external electromagnetic radiation. Furthermore, the illustrative embodiment avoids the possibility of bent connector pins, which would make mating between the electrical connectors.
Claims17
An apparatus comprising:
- a first connector face;
- a first projection, wherein said first projection depends from a region of said first connector face, and wherein said first projection is resilient and electrically conductive;
- a seal for substantially isolating said region from an ambient environment, wherein said seal forms a first annulus that surrounds said region;
- and
- a shield for substantially isolating said region from external electro-magnetic radiation, wherein said shield forms a second annulus that surrounds said region.
An apparatus comprising a self-mating connector, wherein said self-mating connector comprises;
- (1) a first connector face comprising;
- (a) a first annular region, wherein said first annular region surrounds a first planar region;
- (b) a first projection, wherein said first projection depends from said first planar region, and wherein said first projection is resilient and electrically conductive;
- and
- (c) a second projection, wherein said second projection depends from said first planar region, and wherein said second projection is resilient and electrically conductive;
- (2) a second connector face comprising;
- (a) a second annular region, wherein said second annular region surrounds a second planar region;
- (b) a third projection, wherein said third projection depends from said second planar region, and wherein said third projection is electrically conductive;
- and
- (c) a fourth projection, wherein said fourth projection depends from said second planar region, and wherein said fourth projection is electrically conductive;
- (3) a seal for substantially isolating said first planar region and said second planar region from an ambient environment;
- and
- (4) a shield for substantially isolating said first planar region and said second planar region from external electro-magnetic radiation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.