METHOD OF FORMING CONNECTOR WITH ISOLATED CONDUCTIVE PATHS

• US 20130219715A1
• Filed: 04/05/2013
• Published: 08/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GREENE, TWEED OF DELAWARE, INC., Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: GREENE, TWEED OF DELAWARE, INC., Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Finke, Michael Dewayne, Hensarling, Jesse Kevin, Beste, Randal Thomas, Burke, Charles Pence, Spence, James Neal
• Granted Patent: US 8,756,807 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/874
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/516 Means for holding or embracing insulating body, e.g. casing , hoods
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/52 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5221 having cable sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6315 allowing relative movement between coupling parts, e.g. floating connection for coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, H01R12/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/16 for manufacturing contact members, e.g. by punching and by bending
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49123 Co-axial cable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49204 Contact or terminal manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49208 by assembling plural parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49213 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49218 with deforming
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4922 with molding of insulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5193 Electrical connector or terminal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53209 Terminal or connector

Abstract

An apparatus includes a pair of connectors, two or more conductive paths formed in each connector in the pair of connectors, and a shroud encompassing at least a portion of the pair of connectors. The pair of connectors includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector is substantially more flexible than the second connector, and each connector in the pair of connectors includes a bulkhead. Each of the two or more conductive paths in each connector in the pair of connectors is electrically isolated from all other conductive elements in the pair of connectors. The shroud is located between the bulkheads and disposed about the pair of connectors when the pair of connectors are coupled together electrically.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A method comprising:

assembling, at least partially, a connector having a groove;

securing a flexible member in the groove; and

flowing solder into the flexible member in the groove.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein flowing solder into the flexible member in the groove comprises:

placing the solder in contact with the flexible member; and

heating the flexible member to cause solder to flow into the flexible member in the groove.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein placing the solder in contact with the flexible member comprises:

wrapping solder adjacent to the groove.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein heating the flexible member to cause solder to flow into the flexible member in the groove comprises:

heating the flexible member by resistive heating.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein heating the flexible member by resistive heating comprises:

generating a current in the flexible member.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein heating the flexible member to cause solder to flow into the flexible member in the groove comprises:

heating the flexible member using a heat source.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein securing the flexible member in the groove comprises:

wrapping a wire in the groove to secure the flexible member between the wire and the groove.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the method further comprises:

placing a heatsink in contact with the flexible member near the groove.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the heatsink is positioned to control the solder wicking into the flexible member.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein placing the heatsink in contact with the flexible member near the groove comprises:

placing the heatsink adjacent to the solder.

12. A method comprising:

assembling, at least partially, a connector having two substantially rigid members, each substantially rigid member having a groove;

positioning a flexible member between the two substantially rigid members;

securing the flexible member in each groove; and

flowing solder into the flexible member in each groove.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the method includes:

wrapping a wire in each groove to secure the flexible member between the respective wire and corresponding groove; and

placing a heatsink in contact with the flexible member near each groove and adjacent to the solder to control the solder wicking into the flexible member.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein flowing solder into the flexible member in each groove includes heating the respective wire in the respective groove, the flexible member, the respective solder, and the respective substantially rigid member.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein assembling, at least partially, the connector includes assembling, at least partially, a female connector.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the flexible member includes a conductive member.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the conductive member includes tin coated copper.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the method includes forming a shroud on the connector such that the shroud is positioned to provide protection to the connector and a mating connector when the connector is coupled to the mating connector, and to provide protection to a conductive path in the connector and a connective path in the mating connector at an interface between the connector and the mating connector when the connector and the mating connector are coupled together electrically.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the shroud includes a flexible, insulative material.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the flexible, insulative material includes a fluorocarbon.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the shroud is arranged on the connector such that hydrostatic pressure holds the shroud in place during operation of the connector and the mating connector.