Protected electrical connector
DCFirst Claim
1. A device for protecting an electrical contact and wire connection, comprising:
- (1) a gel formed prior to making the connection between the electrical contact and wire, said gel having an elastic modulus of less than 106 dynes/cm2, an ultimate elongation of at least 200%, and is capable of undergoing elastic deformation around the electrical contact and wire;
(2) a container for the gel; and
(3) a force member adapted to cooperate with and act on said container to move the container and gel from a first position to a second position whereby upon connection of the electrical contact and wire said gel within the container is elastically deformed and maintained in direct engagement with said electrical contact and wire so that said electrical contact and wire connection is environmentally sealed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for protection of electrical contacts as well as a process for splicing electrical wires that are to be exposed to an adverse environment. The protection apparatus ensures that the electrical contacts are protected when they are otherwise located in an adverse environment. In a particular embodiment, the apparatus includes a connector, an insulating sleeve adapted to retain the connector, and an encapsulant. The encapsulant, which is disposed with protection apparatus, e.g. the insulating sleeve, has a cone penetration value of 100 to 350 (10-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least 200% and preferably an elastic modulus of less than 107 dynes/cm2.
143 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A device for protecting an electrical contact and wire connection, comprising:
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(1) a gel formed prior to making the connection between the electrical contact and wire, said gel having an elastic modulus of less than 106 dynes/cm2, an ultimate elongation of at least 200%, and is capable of undergoing elastic deformation around the electrical contact and wire; (2) a container for the gel; and (3) a force member adapted to cooperate with and act on said container to move the container and gel from a first position to a second position whereby upon connection of the electrical contact and wire said gel within the container is elastically deformed and maintained in direct engagement with said electrical contact and wire so that said electrical contact and wire connection is environmentally sealed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A device for protecting an electrical contact and wire connection, comprising
(1) a gel formed prior to making the connection between the electrical contact and wire, said gel having an elastic modulus of less than 106 dynes/cm2, and an ultimate elongation of at least 200%; -
(2) a container for the gel; and (3) a force member adapted to cooperate with and act on said container to move the container and gel or an electrical contact containing member from a first position to a second position such that upon connection of the electrical contact and wire said gel within the container is elastically deformed and maintained in direct engagement with said electrical contact and wire so that said electrical contact and wire connection is environmentally sealed;
said force member also adapted to move the container or an electrical contact containing member from said second position to said first position whereby said electrical contact and wire may be disconnected; and
wherein said gel has a cohesive strength greater than its adhesive strength whereby upon disconnection of the electrical contact and wire, said gel remains substantially within said container. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A device for protecting an electrical contact and wire connection wherein the contact is mounted in a base and the wire is external to the base. comprising:
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(1) a gel formed prior to making the connection between the electrical contact and wire. Said gel having an elastic modulus of less than 106 dynes/cm 2 and an ultimate elongation of at least 200%; (2) a container for the gel; and (3) a force member adapted to move the container relative to said base between a first unsealed position to permit connection of the electrical contact and wire and a second environmentally sealed position wherein said gel within the container is elastically deformed and maintained in direct engagement with said electrical contact and wire connection. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A reusable apparatus for environmentally protecting a wire and electrical contact connection, said apparatus comprising:
- a reusable receptacle for housing the wire and electrical contact connection;
a gel formed prior to making the wire and electrical contact connection, said gel being disposed within said receptacle and having an ultimate elongation of at least 200%, an elastic modulus of less than 106 dynes/cm2, and a cone penetration of 150-350 (10-1 mm); a repeatedly activateable force member assembled with said receptacle to cause elastic deformation of said gel at said wire and electrical contact connection when said force member is activated to environmentally seal the connection. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
- a reusable receptacle for housing the wire and electrical contact connection;
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25. A reusable protection apparatus for environmentally protecting a plurality of wire and electrical contact connections said apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of wire and electrical contact connections; at least one reusable receptacle for isolating one of said electrical contact and wire connections; a gel formed prior to making the wire and electrical contact connection, said gel being disposed within said receptacle and having a cone penetration of about 150 to about 350 (10-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least about 200% and an elastic modulus of less than 106 dynes/cm2 ; and a repeatedly activateable force member assembled with said receptacle to cause compression of said gel at said wire and electrical contact connection when said force member is actuated whereby the sealing by the gel of the wire and electrical contact connection prevents shorting between adjacent electrical contact wire connections.
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Specification