Apparatus and method for sealing an electrical connector

• US 7,473,129 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2006
• Issued: 01/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Power Feed TRU, LLC
• Original Assignee: Power Feed-Thru Systems & Connectors LLC
• Inventors: Jackson, Roy, Colescott, Michael G., Harvill, Jeffrey W. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen; Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US11/536,116
• Publication Number:
  US 20070287329A1
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 439/589, 439/587, 439/588, 439/274, 439/275
• US Class Current: 439/589
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/1676 using a soft material and a rigid material, e.g. making articles with a sealing part
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5205 Sealing means between cable and housing, e.g. grommet H01R13/5221 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/523 for use under water
• 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 43/005 for making dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof connection, coupling, or casing

Abstract

A connector comprises a housing having a seal element located within the housing. The seal element has an axial passage therethrough. A plurality of circumferential sealing lips are spaced apart along the axial passage and sized such that each of the plurality of circumferential sealing lips provides a compression seal along a cable element inserted through the axial passage. A seal for an electrical connector comprises an elastomer seal element having an axial passage therethrough. A plurality of circumferential sealing lips are spaced apart along the axial passage and sized such that each of the plurality of circumferential sealing lips provides a compression seal along a cable element inserted through the axial passage.

Claims

1. A connector comprising:

a housing;

a seal element within the housing, the seal element having an axial passage therethrough;

a plurality of circumferential sealing lips spaced apart along the axial passage and sized such that each of the plurality of circumferential sealing lips provide a compression seal along a cable element inserted through the axial passage; and

an insert molded into the seal element, the insert having a conductor boot molded therein.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the seal element is made of a first elastomer material and the insert is made of a second elastomer material that is harder than the first elastomer material.

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the seal element is made of an elastomer chosen from the group consisting of:

a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a fluoroelastomer, a perfluoroelastomer, and an ethylene propylene diene rubber.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the seal element further comprises a pair of opposed sealing lips having a recessed surface therebetween.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein an initial compression of the plurality of circumferential sealing elements against the cable element is in the range of 5-15%.

6. The connector of claim 1, wherein at least one sealing lip is located in a boot integral to the seal element.

7. The connector of claim 4, wherein a fluid pressure acting on an outer diameter surface of the boot further compresses each of the plurality of sealing lips around the cable element.

8. The connector of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of sealing lips comprises a substantially conical surface.

9. The connector of claim 8, wherein the substantially conical surface has an initial angle in the range of 5-15 degrees.

10. A seal for an electrical connector, comprising:

an elastomer seal element having an axial passage therethrough;

a plurality of circumferential sealing lips spaced apart along the axial passage and sized such that each of the plurality of circumferential sealing lips provide a compression seal along a cable element inserted through the axial passage; and

an insert molded into the seal element, the insert having a conductor boot molded therein.

11. The seal of claim 10, wherein the elastomer seal element is made of an elastomer chosen from the group consisting of:

a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a fluoroelastomer, a perfluoroelastomer, and an ethylene propylene diene rubber.

12. The seal of claim 10, wherein the plurality of sealing lips comprise a pair of opposed sealing lips having a recessed surface therebetween.

13. The seal of claim 10, wherein an initial compression of the plurality of circumferential sealing elements against the cable element is in the range of 5-15%.

14. The seal of claim 10, wherein at least one sealing lip is located in a boot integral to the seal element.

15. The seal of claim 14, wherein a fluid pressure acting on an outer diameter surface of the boot further compresses each of the plurality of sealing lips around the cable element.

16. The seal of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of sealing lips comprises a substantially conical surface.

17. The seal of claim 16, wherein the substantially conical surface has an initial angle in the range of 5-15degrees.

18. A method for sealing a cable, comprising:

forming a plurality of sealing lips spaced apart along an axial passage of an elastomer seal element;

sizing each of the plurality of sealing lips such that each of the plurality of sealing lips provide a compression seal along a cable element inserted through the axial passage; and

molding an insert into the seal element, the insert having a conductor boot molded therein.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

locating at least a portion of the plurality of sealing lips along an axial passage of a boot integrally connected to the elastomer seal element such that fluid pressure on an external surface of the boot increases the compression of the sealing lips on the cable element.