WATERPROOF ROTARY CONTACT ASSEMBLY

• US 20140273542A1
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ZapIP, LLC
• Original Assignee: JLIP LLC
• Inventors: Li, Raymond
• Granted Patent: US 9,205,905 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/13
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 11/08 of rotary type
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2011/006 with propulsive medium supplied from sources external to propelled vessel, e.g. water from public water supply
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2011/081 with axial flow, i.e. the axis of rotation being parallel to the flow direction
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/02 Flexible line connectors without frictional contact members

Abstract

A conduit assembly, including a first conduit segment defining a passage therethrough; a first housing affixed to the first conduit segment within the passage; a first plurality of electrical conductors attached to the first housing; a second conduit segment rotatably coupled to the first conduit segment; a second housing affixed to the second conduit; and a second plurality of electrical conductors attached to the second housing, where the second plurality of electrical conductors are in electrical communication with and rotatable about the first plurality of electrical conductors.

Claims

1. A conduit assembly, comprising:

a first conduit segment defining a passage therethrough;

a first housing affixed to the first conduit segment within the passage;

a first plurality of electrical conductors attached to the first housing;

a second conduit segment rotatably coupled to the first conduit segment;

a second housing affixed to the second conduit; and

a second plurality of electrical conductors attached to the second housing, wherein the second plurality of electrical conductors are in electrical communication with and rotatable about the first plurality of electrical conductors.

2. The conduit assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second housings each define a substantially rounded exterior surface.

3. The conduit assembly of claim 1, wherein the first housing defines a reservoir therein.

4. The conduit assembly of claim 3, wherein the second housing defines a reservoir therein.

5. The conduit assembly of claim 4, wherein the reservoirs of the first and second housings are each substantially filled with a non-electrically-conductive fluid.

6. The conduit assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second housings are substantially waterproof.

7. The conduit assembly of claim 1, wherein the first housing and the second housing are rotatable about a common axis.

8. The conduit assembly of claim 1, further comprising a fluid source in fluid communication with the passage.

9. The conduit assembly of claim 1, wherein the first housing is affixed to the first conduit segment by a first fin.

10. The conduit assembly of claim 9, wherein the second housing is affixed to the second conduit segment by a second fin.

11. The conduit assembly of claim 1, further comprising a first plurality of wires coupled to the first plurality of electrical conductors, wherein the first plurality of wires extend along an exterior of the first conduit segment.

12. The conduit assembly of claim 11, further comprising a second plurality of wires coupled to the second plurality of electrical conductors, wherein the second plurality of wires extend along an exterior of the second conduit segment.

13. A fluid conduit assembly, comprising:

a first conduit segment defining a fluid passage therethrough;

a first housing affixed to the first conduit segment within the passage, the first housing defining a substantially rounded exterior surface;

a first plurality of substantially circular electrical conductors attached to the first housing;

a second conduit segment rotatably coupled to the first conduit segment;

a second housing affixed to the second conduit, the second housing defining a substantially rounded exterior surface; and

a second plurality of electrical conductors attached to the second housing, wherein the second plurality of electrical conductors are in electrical communication with and rotatable about the first plurality of electrical conductors.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the first and second housings are substantially waterproof.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the first and second housings are each substantially filled with a non-electrically-conductive fluid.

16. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising a fluid source in fluid communication with the passage.

17. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the first housing is affixed to the first conduit segment by a first fin having a width substantially smaller than a width of the first housing;

and wherein the second housing is affixed to the second conduit segment by a second fin having a width substantially smaller than a width of the second housing.

18. A rotary housing assembly, comprising:

a first housing including a first plurality of substantially circular electrical conductors;

a second housing rotatably coupled to the first housing, the second housing including a second plurality of electrical conductors in electrical communication with and rotatable about the first plurality of electrical conductors, wherein the first and second housings are substantially waterproof.

19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the first and second housings each define substantially rounded exterior surfaces.

20. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the first and second housings each include a substantially bullet-shaped exterior profile.