Uncased data bus coupler
First Claim
1. An uncased cable coupling arrangement for electrically coupling at least two cables, comprising:
- at least two cables each including at least two wires coupled via at least one electrical component;
a member of shrinkable material enclosing said at least one component and ends of said wires, said ends of said wires being electrically connected to said component; and
an encapsulant surrounding said component and said ends of said wires and enclosed within said shrinkable material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cable coupling, particularly for data buses, includes a transformer and resistors to which the cables are directly wired. The components and all electrical connections are enclosed in a heat shrinkable tubing or sleeve filled with liquid encapsulant. Upon application of heat, the tubing shrinks causing the encapsulant to fill all voids between components. The encapsulant is then cured to provide an uncased coupling assembly which protects the components and electrical connections from breakage, while eliminating the need for a separate rigid housing. An overbraided shield and environmental seal may subsequently be added to provide further protection for the coupling.
110 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An uncased cable coupling arrangement for electrically coupling at least two cables, comprising:
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at least two cables each including at least two wires coupled via at least one electrical component; a member of shrinkable material enclosing said at least one component and ends of said wires, said ends of said wires being electrically connected to said component; and an encapsulant surrounding said component and said ends of said wires and enclosed within said shrinkable material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of assembling a data bus coupling, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing at least two cables, each including individual wires enclosed by shielding material; (b) electrically connecting the wires together via at least one electrical component; (c) enclosing the ends of the individual wires and said component within a shrinkable tubing material; (d) filling the tubing material with a liquid encapsulant; (e) shrinking the tubing material to cause the encapsulant to completely fill all voids within the tubing material; and (f) curing the encapsulant to provide structural support, vibration and shock dampening, and electrical isolation of said at least one component. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. An uncased cable coupling arrangement for electrically coupling at least two cables, comprising:
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at least two cables each including at least two wires coupled via at least one electrical component; a member of shrinkable material enclosing said at least one component and ends of said wires, said ends of said wires being electrically connected to said component; and an encapsulant surrounding said component and said ends of said wires and enclosed within said shrinkable material, wherein said component is a transformer. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. An uncased cable coupling arrangement for electrically coupling at least two cables, comprising:
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at least two cables each including at least two wires coupled via at least one electrical component; a member of shrinkable material enclosing said at least one component and ends of said wires, said ends of said wires being electrically connected to said component; and an encapsulant surrounding said component and said ends of said wires and enclosed within said shrinkable material, wherein said component is a resistor. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. Apparatus including a cable coupling arrangement for electrically coupling at least two cables, comprising:
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at least two cables each including at least two wires coupled via at least one electrical component; a member of shrinkable material enclosing said at least one component and ends of said wires, said ends of said wires being electrically connected to said component; an encapsulant surrounding said component and said ends of said wires and enclosed within said shrinkable material; and a conductive shield continuation enclosing said coupling arrangement and electrically connected to each braided shield of said cables to provide a continuous uninterrupted EMI shield over the entire coupler. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of assembling a data bus coupling, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing at least two cables, each including individual wires enclosed by shielding material; (b) electrically connecting the wires together via a transformer by directly connecting the wires to the transformer and to at least one resistor; (c) enclosing the ends of the individual wires and said component within a shrinkable tubing material; (d) filling the tubing material with a liquid encapsulant; (e) shrinking the tubing material to cause the encapsulant to completely fill all voids within the tubing material; and (f) curing the encapsulant to provide structural support, vibration and shock dampening, and electrical isolation of said at least one component.
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17. A method of assembling a data bus coupling, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing at least two cables, each including individual wires enclosed by shielding material; (b) electrically connecting the wires together via at least one electrical component; (c) enclosing the ends of the individual wires and said component within a shrinkable tubing material; (d) filling the tubing material with a liquid encapsulant; (e) shrinking the tubing material to cause the encapsulant to completely fill all voids within the tubing material; (f) curing the encapsulant to provide structural support, vibration and shock dampening, and electrical isolation of said at least one component; and (g) overbraiding the coupling after curing the encapsulant. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification