Submersible electrical connector and method for quick connection and disconnection including tamper indication
First Claim
1. A sealed electrical connector assembly for submersible applications, the connector assembly comprising:
- first and second tubular connector shells having sealed wire entry ends, having telescoping barrel portions and carrying axially mating electrical contacts;
a locking ring encircling the telescoping barrel portions and movable on the first and second tubular connector shells between a first rotational position and a second rotational position;
wherein said first and second tubular connector shells have at least three radially outwardly directed projections reciprocally configured with at least three radially inwardly directed projections of said locking ring to provide for a keyed axial insertion and rotation of said first and second tubular connector shells in relation to said locking ring;
wherein the locking ring forms a tooth projecting radially inward; and
wherein one of the radially outwardly directed projections on one of said first and second tubular connector shells has a tapering profile in a rotational direction, such that when said one of the radially outwardly directed projection slides over and past said tooth upon rotation of said one of said first and second tubular connector shells relative to the locking ring, said rotation becomes irreversible and the locking ring prevents manual disassembly of said first and second tubular connector shells.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sealed connector assembly (10) for use with equipment subject to submersion under water includes two electrical connector shells (25, 29) which are inserted in bayonet fashion into opposite sides of a locking member (40), which is then manually rotated to lock the parts together and shield the electrical connection. The three parts have alignment marks (56, 58, 59) for axial assembly and another mark (57) indicating the rotation of the locking member (40) to a locked position. A body of grease (55) is disposed in one connector shell (25) and an O-ring (50) is placed on the barrel (27) to provide sealing when the connector shells (25, 27) are locked together. The connector shells (25, 29) have wire entry ports and sealing ports for admitting an encapsulating material to seal the wire entry ends. Score lines (68, 69) allow for fracture and removal of the locking member (40) during servicing. Methods of assembly and disassembly are also disclosed.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A sealed electrical connector assembly for submersible applications, the connector assembly comprising:
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first and second tubular connector shells having sealed wire entry ends, having telescoping barrel portions and carrying axially mating electrical contacts; a locking ring encircling the telescoping barrel portions and movable on the first and second tubular connector shells between a first rotational position and a second rotational position; wherein said first and second tubular connector shells have at least three radially outwardly directed projections reciprocally configured with at least three radially inwardly directed projections of said locking ring to provide for a keyed axial insertion and rotation of said first and second tubular connector shells in relation to said locking ring; wherein the locking ring forms a tooth projecting radially inward; and wherein one of the radially outwardly directed projections on one of said first and second tubular connector shells has a tapering profile in a rotational direction, such that when said one of the radially outwardly directed projection slides over and past said tooth upon rotation of said one of said first and second tubular connector shells relative to the locking ring, said rotation becomes irreversible and the locking ring prevents manual disassembly of said first and second tubular connector shells. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A sealed electrical connector assembly for submersible applications, the connector assembly comprising:
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a first subassembly having an electrical connector and having a wire entry end sealed against moisture penetration; a second subassembly having an electrical connector and having a wire entry end sealed against moisture penetration; wherein said first subassembly and said second subassembly each have an outwardly extending flange and each have a hollow body extending along a central axis and forward of said flange, each subassembly having a plurality of extending projections spaced around a respective hollow body, and each subassembly having a groove disposed between said projections and said outwardly extending flange; a locking member having an opening along a central axis and having rim flanges on oppositely facing sides for receiving and holding the projections on the hollow body of each subassembly as each subassembly is axially inserted into the opening, with said rim flanges being received in respective transverse passageways in said first subassembly and said second subassembly; and wherein when said first subassembly and said second subassembly are connected within said locking member, the outwardly extending flange of each subassembly and the locking member forming an enclosure for a region of connection between the subassemblies which is shielded from access; and wherein said locking member has a non-reversing catch such that when a projection on one of the subassemblies having a tapered profile in a rotational direction slides over and past said catch upon rotation of said one of the subassemblies relative to the locking member, said rotation becomes irreversible and the locking member prevents manual disassembly of said first said first subassembly and said second subassembly. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of assembling an electrical connector assembly having a first electrical connector subassembly, a second electrical connector subassembly, and a locking member, the method comprising:
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inserting the first electrical connector subassembly into one side of an opening disposed along a central axis of the locking member, while aligning a first mark on the first connector assembly to a first mark on the locking member which aligns a plurality of reciprocally arranged projections and notches on the first electrical connector subassembly and the locking member so as to permit axial insertion; inserting the second electrical connector subassembly into an opposite side of the opening in the locking member, while aligning a first mark on the second connector assembly to the first mark on the locking member which aligns a plurality of reciprocally arranged projections and notches on the second electrical connector subassembly and the locking member so as to permit axial insertion into the locking ring where an electrical connection is made with the first electrical connector subassembly; and moving the locking member in a rotational direction to align a second mark on the locking member with the first mark on the first connector assembly and the first mark on the second connector assembly such that a projection with a tapered profile in a rotational direction slides over a catch to a non-reversible position to lock the connector assembly together. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification