Environmental seal and alignment means for an electromagnetically formed backshell

• US 4,702,543 A
• Filed: 04/30/1986
• Issued: 10/27/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: G&H Technology Inc (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: G&H Technology Inc (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Hager, Jeffrey J.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCQUADE, JOHN P
• Application Number:
  US06/857,255
• Time in Patent Office: 545 Days
• Field of Search: 339/143 R, 339/94 R, 339/94 A, 339/94 C, 339/94 M, 29/421 M
• US Class Current: 439/271
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/504 different pieces being moulded, cemented, welded, e.g. ultrasonic, or swaged together
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5202 Sealing means between parts of housing or between housing part and a wall, e.g. sealing rings
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/18 by crimping H01R4/01, H01R4/2495 take precedence; for coaxial cables H01R9/0518
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/04 for forming connections by deformation, e.g. crimping tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49803 Magnetically shaping

Abstract

A cylindrical rubber or elastomeric gasket which is L-shaped in cross-section having an outwardly extending rim or flange is initially located between a cylindrical backshell and a connector part which the backshell is to be magnetically clamped. The internal diameter of the seal closely approximates the major diameter of the connector part. The backshell end is slid onto the connector part and, more particularly, onto and over the seal with the seal flange extending around the end of the backshell with its outermost surface abutting against a flange on the connector part. The seal in this way accomplishes both aligning of the backshell with the axis of the connector part for the electromagnetic forming step and, as well, effects environmental sealing after the backshell is fully in place.

Claims

1. An article of manufacture comprising:

a hollow cylindrical metal tube;

a cylindrical member of outer diameter less than the tube inner diameter, said member having end portions received within an end of the tube and uniformly spaced from facing tube inner wall surfaces, said member further having a radially outwardly extending flange lying directly opposite and spaced from the member end portions;

an annular resilient seal of generally L-shaped cross-section located between both the tube inner wall surfaces and member end portions and between and in contact with the tube end and the member flange;

said metal tube being magnetically clamped onto the member end portions over the seal compressing the same.

2. A method of electromagnetically deforming a metal shell into clamping engagement with a cylindrical member having an end portion received within an open end of said shell, said member having an outwardly directed flange on its peripheral surface spaced inwardly from the member end portion, comprising the steps of:

locating a resilient non-metallic annular seal about the cylindrical member end portion and abutting against the flange, said seal having a first diametral portion which closely approximates the inner cross-sectional dimensions of the shell and a second diametral portion larger than the first diametral portion, said second diametral portion extending between the shell end and the flange;

positioning the shell on the first diametral portion of the seal;

aligning an annular magnetic field concentrator on the shell directly opposite the cylindrical member end portion; and

energizing the magnetic field concentrator to clampingly deform the shell and compress the seal causing it to expand against the cylindrical member end portion and flange.

3. A method as in claim 2, in which the magnetic field concentrator is positioned to direct a magnetic field on the shell end.

4. A method as in claim 3, in which the energizing includes pulsing.