Coaxial cable connection method and device using oxide inhibiting sealant

• US 5,362,250 A
• Filed: 11/25/1992
• Issued: 11/08/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Raychem Corporation (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Original Assignee: Raychem Corporation (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Mattis, John, McMills, Corey
• Primary Examiner(s): MCGLYNN, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US07/981,974
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 439/387, 439/388, 439/578-585, 439/936
• US Class Current: 439/387
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5216 characterised by the sealing material, e.g. gels or resins
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/40 specially adapted for high frequency
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/936 Potting material or coating, e.g. grease, insulative coating, sealant or, adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49174 Assembling terminal to elongated conductor

Abstract

A method and a device is provided which allows the connection of coaxial cable termini to one another with minimum long-term loss of RFI shielding. The method comprises the removal of metal oxides from the concentric conductor portions of the two cable termini, applying a sealant to the concentric conductor termini and then connecting the central conductor termini to one another and the concentric conductor termini to one another. The device comprises a collet structure dimensioned to slip over the outside of a standard connection jack. Within the collet structure is disposed a quantity of sealant and the collet structure has at least one aperture through which sealant oozes from the collet structure to the exterior of the collet structure. When the collet structure is attached to the jack, the sealant is caused to ooze onto the concentric conductor thereby sealing the concentric conductor from the ambient.

Claims

1. A coupling device useful in the connection of a coaxial cable terminus to a standard coaxial cable connection jack, wherein the connection jack comprises (1) a body with a connection jack aperture and (2) an internal electrical conductor disposed within, but insulated from, the body proximate to the connection jack aperture, the device comprising:

a. an electrically conductive connection jack attachment moiety comprising a connection jack attachment moiety and a cable attachment moiety,

the connection jack attachment moiety defining a collet structure having a base, a base aperture, at least one sealant aperture and a plurality of flared fingers separated from one another by a narrow slit, and

the cable attachment moiety having an open ended hollow cylinder which communicates with the collet base aperture,

wherein the connection jack attachment moiety is dimensioned to attach snugly around the body of the connection jack and the cable attachment moiety is dimensioned to attach to the coaxial cable terminus in such a way that, when the connection jack connector is attached to the cable terminus, the cable attachment moiety can be placed in electrical contact with the concentric conductor with the central conductor protruding axially through the collet base aperture, through the connection jack aperture, and into electrical contact with the internal electrical conductor;

b. a hollow, open-ended swagging shell disposed around the connection jack attachment moiety and comprising a compression moiety and a retraction moiety, the compression moiety being dimensioned to tightly surround the flared fingers of the connection jack connector so as to apply hoop stress thereto and so as to urge the flared fingers into tight connection with the body of a connection jack attached to the terminus of the cable;

c. a quantity of oxide abrasive sealant disposed within the collet structure, the quantity of sealant being sufficient to fill at least about 40 percent of the volume defined by the collet structure; and

d. removable cover means for cooperating with the collet structure to substantially encapsulate the quantity of sealant.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the sealant comprises beads having diameters between about 0.0001 inches and about 0.002 inches.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the sealant comprises beads having diameters between about 0.0001 inches and about 0.002 inches.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the sealant is resistant to oxidation, is insoluble in water and has a viscosity at 68°

F. between about 1,000 cps and about 100,000 cps.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the quantity of sealant is sufficient to fill at least about 60 percent of the volume defined by the collet structure.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the connection jack connection moiety has a plurality of sealant apertures.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the connection jack connection moiety has one sealant aperture in each of the flared fingers.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the slits between the flared fingers are covered by a web.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the sealant aperture is round and has a diameter between about 0.3 inches and about 0.4 inches.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the removable cover means comprises a cap having an end cover and a cylindrical body.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the removable cover means interlocks with the collet structure in such a way that the removable cover means cannot to rotated about the cable terminus independent of the collet structure.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the cable connection moiety of the connection jack connector is a mandrel which is disposed between the central conductor and the concentric conductor.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein the swagging shell is cylindrical and the inside diameter of the compression moiety is larger than the inside diameter of the retraction moiety and the inside diameter of the retraction moiety is dimensioned to urge the concentric conductor into tight contact with the mandrel.

14. A connection jack connector useful in the connection of a coaxial cable terminus to a standard coaxial cable connection jack, wherein the connection jack comprises (1) a body with a connection jack aperture, and (2) an internal electrical conductor disposed within, but insulated from, the body proximate to the connection jack aperture, the connection jack connector comprising:

a. an electrically conductive connection jack attachment moiety comprising a connection jack attachment moiety and a cable attachment moiety,

the connection jack attachment moiety defining a collet structure having a base, a base aperture, at least one sealant aperture and a plurality of flared fingers, and

the cable attachment moiety having an open ended hollow cylinder which communicates with the collet base aperture,

wherein the connection jack attachment moiety is dimensioned to attach snugly around the body of the connection jack and the cable attachment moiety is dimensioned to attach to the coaxial cable terminus in such a way that, when the connection jack connector is attached to the cable terminus, the cable attachment moiety can be placed in electrical contact with the concentric conductor with the central conductor protruding axially through the collet base aperture, through the connection jack aperture, and into electrical contact with the internal electrical conductor;

b. a quantity of sealant disposed within the collet structure, the quantity of sealant being sufficient to fill at least about 40 percent of the volume defined by the collet structure; and

c. removable cover means for cooperating with the collet structure to substantially encapsulate the quantity of sealant.

15. A kit useful in the connection of a coaxial cable terminus to a standard coaxial cable connection jack, wherein the connection jack comprises (1) a body with a connection jack aperture and (2) an internal electrical conductor disposed within, but insulated from, the body proximate to the connection jack aperture, the kit comprising:

a. an electrically conductive connection jack attachment moiety comprising a connection jack attachment moiety and a cable attachment moiety,

the connection jack attachment moiety defining a collet structure having a base, a base aperture, at least one sealant aperture and a plurality of flared fingers, and

the cable attachment moiety having an open ended hollow cylinder which communicates with the collet base aperture,

wherein the connection jack attachment moiety is dimensioned to attach snugly around the body of the connection jack and the cable attachment moiety is dimensioned to attach to the coaxial cable terminus in such a way that, when the connection jack connector is attached to the cable terminus, the cable attachment moiety can be placed in electrical contact with the concentric conductor with the central conductor protruding axially through the collet base aperture, through the connection jack aperture, and into electrical contact with the internal electrical conductor;

b. a hollow, open-ended swagging shell comprising a compression moiety and a retraction moiety, the compression moiety being dimensioned to tightly surround the flared fingers of the connection jack connector so as to apply hoop stress thereto and so as to urge the flared fingers into tight connection with the threaded body of a connection jack attached to the terminus of the cable;

c. a quantity of sealant disposed within the collet structure, the quantity of sealant being sufficient to fill at least about 40 percent of the volume defined by the collet structure; and

d. removable cover means for cooperating with the collet structure to substantially encapsulate the quantity of sealant.

16. A method of connecting a coaxial terminus to a standard connection jack, wherein the connection jack comprises (1) a body with a connection jack aperture, and (2) an internal electrical conductor disposed within, but insulated from, the body proximate to the connection jack aperture, the method comprising the following steps:

a. attaching an electrically conductive connection jack connector to the terminus of the cable; and

b. sliding a hollow, open-ended swagging shell over the flared fingers of the connection jack connector;

wherein the connection jack connector comprises a connection jack attachment moiety and a cable attachment moiety, the connection jack attachment moiety defining a collet structure having a base, a base aperture, at least one sealant aperture and a plurality of flared fingers, and the cable attachment moiety having an open ended hollow cylinder which communicates with the collet base aperture, wherein the connection jack attachment moiety is dimensioned to attach snugly around the body of the connection jack and the cable attachment moiety is dimensioned to attach to the coaxial cable terminus in such a way that, when the connection jack connector is attached to the cable terminus, the cable attachment moiety can be placed in electrical contact with the concentric conductor with the central conductor protruding axially through the collet base aperture, through the connection jack aperture, and into electrical contact with the internal electrical conductor;

wherein a quantity of sealant is disposed within the collet structure, the quantity of sealant being sufficient to fill at least about 40 percent of the volume defined by the collet structure; and

wherein the swagging shell comprises a compression moiety and a retraction moiety and the compression moiety being dimensioned to tightly surround the flared fingers of the connection jack connector thereby applying hoop stress to the fingers so as to urge the flared fingers into tight connection with the threaded body of the connection jack;

whereby, when the swagging shell is slid over the flared fingers of the connection jack connector, the flared fingers are urged inwardly forcing some of the conductive grease to flow out through the sealant aperture.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the sealant has a viscosity at 68 degrees Fahrenheit of at least about 1,000 cps.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the sealant has a viscosity at 150 degrees Fahrenheit of at least about 500 cps.