Ruggedized, sealed quick disconnect electrical coupler
First Claim
1. A quick disconnect sealed electrical coupler for connecting an electrical cable to leads from a sensor circuit within a housing, said electrical coupler comprising:
- conduit adapter means coupled to the housing and disposed about an aperture therein for forming a seal with the housing, wherein the sensor leads pass through the aperture in the housing and are disposed within said conduit adapter means;
conduit means disposed about the electrical cable and coupled to the conduit adapter means for isolating the electrical cable from its surroundings;
first quick disconnect coupling means having a first threaded portion for connecting the electrical cable to the sensor leads; and
connector adapter means for coupling the sensor leads to said first quick disconnect coupling means, wherein said connector adapter means is in sealed engagement with said conduit adapter means and wherein said connector adapter means includes a second threaded portion adapted for threaded coupling to said first threaded portion of said first quick disconnect coupling means and wherein said connector adapter means engages and maintains the sensor leads in fixed position within the electrical coupler.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A quick disconnect electrical coupler for connecting an electrical cable, or cord, to circuitry in a closed housing forms a sealed, high strength, impact resistant connection between the housing and a flexible conduit within which the electrical lead is disposed. The quick disconnect electrical coupler includes a conduit adapter in sealed engagement about an aperture in the housing which is coupled to the conduit by means of a threadable compression connection. Electrical leads coupled to circuitry in the housing terminate in a plurality of conductive pins disposed within an inner connector housing adapted for mating engagement with a conventional socket-type lead connector coupled to the electrical cable. A connector adapter is disposed about the inner connector housing and within the conduit adapter and is in sealed engagement with these two components. The connector adapter includes an outer threaded portion adapted for coupling to the socket-type lead connector within the liquid tight, sealed combination of the conduit adapter and the flexible conduit, which combination also maintains the electrical leads in fixed position within the conduit and conduit adapter and protects the electrical cable and connector from impact damage. Another embodiment replaces the connector adapter and inner connector housing with a ringed, tapered seal for securely coupling the conduit adapter and flexible conduit in a moisture-tight sealed manner while maintaining the electrical leads in fixed position within the electrical coupler.
152 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A quick disconnect sealed electrical coupler for connecting an electrical cable to leads from a sensor circuit within a housing, said electrical coupler comprising:
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conduit adapter means coupled to the housing and disposed about an aperture therein for forming a seal with the housing, wherein the sensor leads pass through the aperture in the housing and are disposed within said conduit adapter means; conduit means disposed about the electrical cable and coupled to the conduit adapter means for isolating the electrical cable from its surroundings; first quick disconnect coupling means having a first threaded portion for connecting the electrical cable to the sensor leads; and connector adapter means for coupling the sensor leads to said first quick disconnect coupling means, wherein said connector adapter means is in sealed engagement with said conduit adapter means and wherein said connector adapter means includes a second threaded portion adapted for threaded coupling to said first threaded portion of said first quick disconnect coupling means and wherein said connector adapter means engages and maintains the sensor leads in fixed position within the electrical coupler. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A sealed electrical coupler for connecting an electrical cable to a sensor circuit within a housing, said electrical coupler comprising:
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conduit adapter means coupled to the housing and disposed about an aperture therein for forming a seal with the housing, wherein the cable passes through the aperture in the housing and is disposed within said conduit adapter means; conduit means disposed about the electrical cable for isolating the electrical cable from its surroundings; coupling means for securely coupling said conduit adapter means and said conduit means in a sealed manner; and seal means disposed within and in abutting contact with said conduit adapter means and said coupling means for forming a tight seal between said conduit adapter means and said coupling means, wherein said seal means engages and maintains the cable in fixed position within the electrical coupler and wherein said seal means is generally cylindrical and includes an aperture within which the electrical cable is disposed, said seal means further including at least one outer O-ring for engaging an inner portion of the electrical coupler in a sealed manner. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification