US 9,431,778 B1Granted

Dust tolerant connectors

AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

InventorsRobert P. Mueller, Mark E. Lewis, Gary L. Bastin, Matthew C. Branch, Jeffrey W. Carlson, Adam G. Dokos, Kevin A. Murtland, Matthew W. Nugent, Gabor J. Tamasy, Ivan I. Townsend, III

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Abstract

Methods and systems may provide for debris exclusion and removal apparatuses for connectors which have inverting end caps with a multi-axis lever configuration, inverting end caps with enlarged handle and/or side rail configurations, rotating end cap configurations, poppet valve configurations, O-ring configurations, filament barrier configurations, retractable cover configurations, clamshell end cap configurations, or any combination thereof. Apparatuses may also provide for an intelligent electrical connector system capable of detecting damage to or faults within a plurality of conductors and then rerouting the energy through a non-damaged spare conductor.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A debris exclusion and removal apparatus comprising:

a first housing having an open end and one or more surfaces defining a first cavity to receive a first connector;
a first cap coupled to the first housing, wherein the first cap is movable between a closed position in which the open end of the first housing is covered by the first cap and an open position in which the open end of the first housing is not covered by the first cap;
a second housing having a second cap and an open end and one or more surfaces defining a second cavity to receive a second connector;
and
a second hinge coupled to the second housing and the second cap, wherein the second hinge inverts the second cap between a closed position and an open position;
wherein when the open end of the first housing and the open end of the second housing are coupled to one another, the first cap and the second cap seal one another.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/207,472Filed 12 Mar 2014 · us provisional application
Priority: 12 Mar 2013
Granted: 30 Aug 2016
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification15 codes

H01R 13/52
Bases; Cases: dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
F16L 55/115
Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses: caps
F16L 55/24
Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems: preventing accumulation of dirt or other matter in pipes, e.g.…
H01R 13/447
Means for preventing access to live contacts: shutter or cover plate

Family

Application61/778,387Us provisional application · filed 12 Mar 2013
Application61/779,292Us provisional application · filed 13 Mar 2013
Application61/779,200Us provisional application · filed 13 Mar 2013
Application61/779,367Us provisional application · filed 13 Mar 2013
Application61/779,045Us provisional application · filed 13 Mar 2013
US 9,431,778 B1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.