Connector having a dielectric seal and method of use thereof

• US 8,398,421 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2011
• Issued: 03/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Haberek, Andrew, Natoli, Christopher P., Purdy, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Ta, Tho D
• Assistant Examiner(s): TSUKERMAN, LARISA Z
• Application Number:
  US13/018,727
• Publication Number:
  US 20120196476A1
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 439/271, 439/277, 439/578
• US Class Current: 439/277
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5219 Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/05 for coaxial cables
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49208 by assembling plural parts

Abstract

A coaxial cable connector having a connector body attached to a post, the post having a first end, a second end, and a flange proximate the first end, wherein the post is configured to receive a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric of a coaxial cable, a port coupling element attached to the post, and a seal member disposed proximate the dielectric to create a seal around the dielectric to prevent entry of environmental elements is provided. Additionally, a connector having a post with an internally tapered surface proximate a first end, the internally tapered surface tapering radially inward toward the first end to compress the dielectric to form a seal around the dielectric is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.

Claims

1. A connector comprising:

a connector body attached to a post, the post having a first end, a second end, and a flange proximate the first end, wherein the post is configured to receive a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric of a coaxial cable;

a port coupling element attached to the post; and

a seal member is entirely and axially disposed within an annular notch of the post to create a seal around the dielectric to prevent entry of environmental elements, wherein the annular notch of the post is positioned along an inner surface of the post.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the seal member is resilient.

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the annular notch located proximate the first end of the post.

4. The connector of claim 3, wherein a portion of the seal member protrudes from the annular notch.

5. The connector of claim 1, further including:

a fastener member radially disposed over the connector body to radially compress the coaxial cable;

a conductive seal disposed proximate the connector body, wherein the conductive seal is configured to provide a shield for preventing ingress of electromagnetic noise into the connector; and

a conductive mating edge member, located proximate the first end of the post, wherein the conductive member facilitates grounding of the coaxial cable.

6. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a connector body attached to a post, the post having a first end, a second end, and a flange proximate the first end, wherein the post is configured to receive a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric of a coaxial cable;

a port coupling element attached to the post; and

a seal member integrated with the post to create a seal between the seal member and the dielectric, wherein the seal member entirely and axially integrated with the post is disposed within an annular notch along an inner surface of the post, proximate the center of the flange of the post.

7. The coaxial cable connector of claim 6, wherein the seal member is resilient.

8. The coaxial cable connector of claim 6, wherein a portion of the seal member protrudes from the notch, extending a distance from the inner surface of the post.

9. A connector comprising:

a connector body attached to a post, the post having a first end, a second end, and a flange proximate the first end, wherein the post is configured to receive a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric of a coaxial cable;

a port coupling element attached to the post; and

a seal member disposed substantially within an annular notch in the flange of the post to provide a barrier around the dielectric to prevent ingress of environmental elements, wherein the seal member is flush with a mating edge of the post.

10. The connector of claim 9, wherein the seal member is resilient.

11. The connector of claim 9, wherein a portion of the seal member protrudes from the notch, extending a distance from an inner surface of the post.

12. The connector of claim 9, wherein a portion of the seal member protrudes from the notch, extending an axial distance from the mating edge of the post.

13. The connector of claim 9, wherein the seal member is a ring structure having a square or rectangular cross-section.

14. The connector of claim 9, wherein the seal member is a ring structure having a circular or curvilinear cross-section.

15. A connector comprising:

a connector body attached to a post, the post having a first end, a second end, and a flange proximate the first end, wherein the post is configured to receive a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric of a coaxial cable;

a port coupling element attached to the post;

a first seal member disposed within an annular notch in the flange of the post; and

a second seal member disposed within the annular notch in the flange of the post;

wherein the first seal member and the second seal member entirely and axially is disposed within the annular notch of the post provide a barrier around the dielectric to prevent ingress of environmental elements;

wherein the annular notch is positioned along an inner surface of the post.

16. The connector of claim 15, wherein the first seal member and the second seal member are resilient.

17. The connector of claim 15, wherein the first seal member is flush with a mating edge of the post.

18. The connector of claim 15, wherein a portion of the first seal member protrudes a distance from the mating edge of the post.

19. The connector of claim 15, wherein the annular notch includes a step-configuration.

20. A connector comprising:

a connector body attached to a post, the post having a first end, a second end, and a flange proximate the first end, wherein the post is configured to receive a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric of a coaxial cable;

a port coupling element attached to the post, the port coupling element having an annular notch located along an inner surface of the port coupling element; and

a seal member is entirely and axially disposed within a generally axial opening of the port coupling element to prevent ingress of environmental elements, wherein an outer edge of the seal member is disposed within the annular notch;

wherein the seal member seals directly physically against the center conductor.

21. The connector of claim 20, wherein the seal member includes an opening corresponding to the size of the center conductor, further wherein the center conductor passes axially through the opening for form part of the seal.

22. The connector of claim 20, wherein the annular notch is located between an internal lip of the port coupling element and a plurality of threads.

23. A connector comprising:

a connector body attached to a post, the post having a first end, a second end, and a flange proximate the first end, wherein the post is configured to receive a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric of a coaxial cable; and

a port coupling element attached to the post;

wherein the post has an internally tapered surface at the first end, the internally tapered surface tapering radially inward toward the first end to compress the dielectric to form a seal around the dielectric.

24. A connector comprising:

a connector body attached to a post, the post having a first end, a second end, and a flange proximate the first end, wherein the post is configured to receive a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric of a coaxial cable;

a port coupling element attached to the post; and

a means for providing a seal around the dielectric, wherein the means include a seal member is entirely and axially disposed proximate the dielectric and within an annular notch positioned along an inner surface of the post.

25. A method of creating a seal around a dielectric of a coaxial cable, comprising:

providing a connector including;

a connector body attached to a post, the post having a first end, a second end, and a flange proximate the first end, wherein the post is configured to receive a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric of a coaxial cable; and

a port coupling element attached to the post;

disposing a seal member is entirely and axially disposed within an annular notch positioned along an inner surface of the post to create a seal around the dielectric; and

advancing the connector onto an interface port.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the seal member is resilient.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein a portion of the seal member protrudes from the notch.

28. The method of claim 25, further including:

a fastener member radially disposed over the connector body to radially compress the coaxial cable;

a conductive seal disposed proximate the connector body, wherein the conductive seal is configured to provide a shield for preventing ingress of electromagnetic noise into the connector; and

a conductive mating edge member, located proximate the first end of the post, wherein the conductive member facilitates grounding of the coaxial cable.