Sealed coaxial cable connector and related method

• US 20040209516A1
• Filed: 05/10/2004
• Published: 10/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Corning Gilbert Incorporated (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lutz, William B., Burris, Donald A., Wood, Kenneth S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,128,603 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/587
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5205 Sealing means between cable and housing, e.g. grommet H01R13/5221 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0521 Connection to outer conductor by action of a nut

Abstract

A connector is provided for coupling an end of a coaxial cable to a terminal, such as a cable terminal, a terminal for coupling to another connector, and the like. The connector includes a coupler, such as a nut, having a receiving port for engaging the terminal. The coupler also includes an annular collar. The connector also includes a body member, one end of which includes a lip. The lip is inserted through the collar opening. The other end of the body section includes an inner surface portion. The connector still further includes a post, an end of which is sized for insertion between the dielectric and the outer conductor of the cable. The post further includes a post flange and a post shank. The post shank forms a post channel sufficient in diameter to receive the inner conductor and the dielectric of the cable. The post is movable between a cable-insertion position and a cable-installed position. In the cable-installed position, the post shank is received in the body member to form an annular chamber between the post shank and the inner surface portion. The annular chamber is sufficiently narrow in this cable-installed position to compress the outer conductor and the jacket with the post shank and the inner surface portion for establishing a distal seal. Tightening of the coupler to the terminal compresses the lip between the post flange and the annular collar for establishing a proximal seal. Related methods also are provided.

Claims

1. A connector for coupling an end of a coaxial cable to a terminal, the coaxial cable comprising an inner conductor, a dielectric surrounding the inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the dielectric, and a jacket surrounding the outer conductor, the connector comprising:

a coupler comprising a substantially cylindrical portion having a receiving port for engaging the terminal and an annular collar extending radially inward from the substantially cylindrical portion;

a body member comprising a proximal body section and a distal body section having an inner surface with an indented inner surface portion; and

a post comprising;

a distal post end and a proximal post end, the distal post end sized for insertion between the dielectric and the outer conductor,

a radially extending post flange, and

a post shank extending from the post flange, the post shank forming a post channel sufficient in diameter to receive the inner conductor and the dielectric, the post shank being sufficient in length to extend from the annular collar to the inner surface portion;

wherein the post is movable between a cable-insertion position, in which the distal post end is sufficiently spaced apart from the inner surface portion for inserting the coaxial cable into the body member, and a cable-installed position, in which the post shank is inserted in the body member to form an annular chamber between the post shank and the inner surface portion, the annular chamber being sufficiently narrow to compress the outer conductor and the jacket with the post shank and the inner surface portion for establishing a distal seal.

2. The connector of claim 1 wherein the inner surface of the body member forms a 90 degree angle at the indented inner surface portion.

3. The connector of claim 1 wherein the indented inner surface portion comprises a radially inwardly extending step region.

4. The connector of claim 3 wherein the step region consists of a single step.

5. The connector of claim 3 wherein the step region comprises of a plurality of steps.

6. The connector of claim 3 wherein the step region is adapted to form an edge capable of frictionally engaging the jacket of the cable.

7. The connector of claim 1 wherein the proximal body section comprises a lip and an annular shoulder, wherein the annular collar is disposed between the lip and the annular shoulder.

8. The connector of claim 1 wherein an outer surface of the post proximate the distal post end comprises a raised diameter portion.

9. The connector of claim 8 wherein the raised diameter portion comprises at least one annular ridge.

10. The connector of claim 8 wherein the raised diameter portion is wedge-shaped.

11. The connector of claim 8 wherein the raised diameter portion is generally frustoconical.

12. The connector of claim 1 wherein an outer surface of the distal body section comprises knurling.

13. The connector of claim 1 wherein the indented inner surface portion comprises a cable jacket sealing surface region provided with at least one annular groove.

14. The connector of claim 13 wherein the at least one annular groove is adapted to allow part of the jacket to at least partially enter the at least one annular groove.

15. The connector of claim 1 wherein the indented inner surface portion comprises a cable jacket sealing surface region provided with at a series of teeth adapted to grab the jacket.

16. The connector of claim 15 wherein the at least one annular groove is adapted to allow part of the jacket to at least partially enter between the teeth.

17. The connector of claim 15 wherein the teeth are frustoconical.

18. A method for coupling an end of a coaxial cable to a terminal using a connector and a tool having first and second engagement surfaces, the coaxial cable comprising an inner conductor, a dielectric surrounding the inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the dielectric, and a jacket surrounding the outer conductor, wherein the end of the cable comprises an exposed portion of the dielectric, the method comprising:

(a) providing a connector comprising;

a coupler comprising a substantially cylindrical portion having a receiving port for engaging the terminal;

a body member comprising a distal body end and a proximal body end, a proximal body section, and a distal body section, the distal body section extending away from the proximal body section and comprising a reduced diameter inner surface portion;

a post comprising a distal post end, a proximal post end, a radially extending post flange movable within the receiving port, and a post shank having a post channel;

wherein the coupler is rotatably engaged about an outer surface of the proximal end of the body member,

wherein an elevated portion of an outer surface of the post shank is engaged with an inner surface of the proximal end of the body member,

wherein part of the post shank is disposed within the body member, and wherein an inner surface of the body member and an outer surface of the part of the post shank disposed therein form an annular chamber, wherein the distal post end is spaced sufficiently axially apart from the reduced diameter inner surface portion to allow insertion of the coaxial cable into the annular chamber;

(b) passing the coaxial cable into the annular chamber until an end of the dielectric is proximate but not flush with the proximal post end, wherein the distal post end is inserted between the dielectric and the outer conductor, and wherein an end of the center conductor and an end of the dielectric are received in the post channel;

(c) driving the body and post axially together, wherein the outer conductor and the protective outer jacket are compressed between the post shank and the reduced diameter inner surface portion of the body member, thereby establishing a distal seal, and wherein the end of the dielectric is not flush with the proximal post end; and

(d) engaging the coupler with the terminal and compressing the proximal body end, thereby establishing a proximal seal, wherein the end of the dielectric is brought flush with the proximal post end.

19. A connector for coupling an end of a coaxial cable to a terminal, the coaxial cable comprising an inner conductor, a dielectric surrounding the inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the dielectric, and a jacket surrounding the outer conductor, the connector comprising:

a coupler comprising a substantially cylindrical portion having a receiving port for engaging the terminal and an annular collar extending radially inward from the substantially cylindrical portion;

an axially deformable body member comprising a proximal body section and a distal body section having an inner surface with a reduced diameter inner surface portion; and

a post comprising;

a distal post end and a proximal post end, the distal post end sized for insertion between the dielectric and the outer conductor,

a radially extending post flange, and

a post shank extending from the post flange, the post shank forming a post channel sufficient in diameter to receive the inner conductor and the dielectric, the post shank being sufficient in length to extend from the annular collar to the inner surface portion;

wherein the post is movable between a cable-insertion position, in which the distal post end is sufficiently spaced apart from the inner surface portion for inserting the coaxial cable into the body member, and a cable-installed position, in which the post shank is inserted in the body member to form an annular chamber between the post shank and the inner surface portion, the annular chamber being sufficiently narrow to compress the outer conductor and the jacket with the post shank and the inner surface portion for establishing a distal seal.

20. The connector of claim 19 wherein the distal body section comprises a deformable region.

21. The connector of claim 20 wherein at least part of the deformable region is adapted to engage the cable upon deformation.

22. The connector of claim 20 wherein the deformable region is adapted to protrude radially inwardly upon deformation.

23. The connector of claim 22 wherein at least part of the deformable region is adapted to engage the cable upon deformation.

24. The connector of claim 20 wherein the deformable region is adapted to collapse in an axial direction upon being axially compressed.

25. The connector of claim 20 wherein the deformable region comprises at least one reduced wall thickness portion.