Metal-sealed, thermoplastic electrical feedthrough

• US 6,506,083 B1
• Filed: 03/06/2001
• Issued: 01/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Howard, Pete, Bickford, Gary P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCCAMEY, ANN M
• Application Number:
  US09/681,247
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 439/736, 439/281, 439/606
• US Class Current: 439/736
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/533 Bases, cases made for use in extreme conditions, e.g. high temperature, radiation, vibration, corrosive environment, pressure H01R13/52 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/74 Means for mounting coupling parts in openings of a panel

Abstract

An electrical feedthrough includes a connector body made of a metallic material, at least one contact pin inserted through a cavity in the connector body, and an insulating body made of a thermoplastic material formed between the connector body and the contact pin so as to provide a hermetic seal between the connector body and the contact pin.

Claims

1. An electrical feedthrough, comprising:

a connector body made of a metallic material, the connector body comprising a mounting flange;

at least one contact pin inserted through a cavity in the connector body and through a hole in the mounting flange, the cavity and the hole each having a transverse dimension generally parallel to the face of the mounting flange, the transverse dimension of the hole, being less than that of the cavity; and

an insulating body made of a thermoplastic material formed between the connector body and the contact pin, the insulating body molded over a portion of the connector body and the contact pin and providing a hermetic seal between the connector body and the contact pin; and

wherein an outer surface of the connector body in contact with the insulating body includes an interlocking structure.

2. The electrical feedthrough of claim 1, wherein a surface of the contact pin in contact with the insulating body includes an interlocking structure.

3. The electrical feedthrough of claim 1, wherein the metallic material is corrosion-resistant.

4. The electrical feedthrough of claim 1, wherein the metallic material is weldable.

5. The electrical feedthrough of claim 1, wherein the connector body comprises a metal-to-metal sealing surface.

6. The electrical feedthrough of claim 1, further comprising a contact ring connected to the contact pin.

7. The electrical feedthrough of claim 6, wherein the contact ring is embedded in the insulating body.

8. An electrical feedthrough, comprising:

a connector body made of a weldable metallic material, the connector body comprising a welding flange;

at least one contact pin inserted through a cavity in the connector body and through a hole in the welding flange, the cavity and the hole each having a transverse dimension generally parallel to the face of the welding flange, the transverse dimension of the hole being less than that of the cavity; and

an insulating body made of a thermoplastic material formed between the connector body and the contact pin, the insulating body molded over a portion of the connector body and the contact pin and providing a hermetic seal between the connector body and the contact pin; and

wherein an outer surface of the connector body in contact with the insulating body includes an interlocking structure.

9. The electrical feedthrough of claim 8, wherein a surface of the contact pin in contact with the insulating body includes an interlocking structure.

10. The electrical feedthrough of claim 8, wherein the weldable metallic material is corrosion-resistant.

11. The electrical feedthrough of claim 8, further comprising at least one contact ring embedded in the insulating body, the contact ring being connected to the contact pin.

12. An electrical feedthrough, comprising:

a connector body made of a metallic material, the connector body comprising a mounting flange;

at least one contact pin inserted through a cavity in the connector body and through a hole in the mounting flange, the cavity and the hole each having a transverse dimension generally parallel to the face of the mounting flange, the transverse dimension of the hole being less than that of the cavity;

an interlocking structure formed on an outer surface of the connector body; and

an insulating body made of a thermoplastic material formed over a portion of the connector body and the contact pin, the insulating body engaging the interlocking structure and providing a hermetic seal between the connector body and the contact pin.

13. The electrical feedthrough of claim 12, a surface of the contact pin in contact with the insulating body includes an interlocking structure.

14. The electrical feedthrough of claim 12, further comprising a contact ring embedded in the insulating body, the contact ring being connected to the contact pin.

15. The electrical feedthrough of claim 12, wherein the metallic material is weldable.

16. The electrical feedthrough of claim 12, wherein the connector body comprises a metal sealing surface.

17. A bulkhead electrical connection, comprising:

a bulkhead made of a weldable material;

a connector body made of a weldable material;

a weld formed between the bulkhead and the connector body at a face of the bulkhead;

at least one contact pin inserted through a cavity in the connector body and through a hole in the connector body, the cavity and the hole each having a transverse dimension generally parallel to the face of the bulkhead, the transverse dimension of the hole being less than that of the cavity; and

an insulating body made of a thermoplastic material formed between the connector body and the contact pin, the insulating body providing a hermetic seal between the connector body and the pin; and

wherein an outer surface of the connector body in contact with the insulating body includes an interlocking structure.

18. The bulkhead electrical connection of claim 17, wherein a surface of the contact pin in contact with the insulating body includes an interlocking structure.

19. The bulkhead electrical connection of claim 17, wherein mutually cooperating structures are provided on the bulkhead and the connector body to couple the connector body to the bulkhead.

20. The bulkhead electrical connection of claim 17, further comprising at least one contact ring embedded in the insulating body, the contact ring being connected to the contact pin.