EP0174210A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connector apparatus
Assignee: Integrated Circuit Systems Ltd
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Filing: 1985-09-06
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-09-06
Abstract
Abstract A connector apparatus capable of connecting with a complimentary connector (30) for the supply of energy, signals or a commodity has a connector part (4) which can be retracted into the apparatus in response to a control signal to disengage the complimentary connector. The retraction mpvement may be caused by a piston and cylinder arrangement (19,1) or by an electromagnet. The connector arrange- ment has many applications and may be released in response to a variety of circumstances. For example, it may be used in a power supply to a garaged vehicle or grounded aircraft and be arranged to release upon release of the vehicle or aircraft brakes. It may be used in a discharge or filling hose from or to a tanker vehicle and be arranged to release upon starting of the vehicle. It may furthermore be connected in a gas or water supply and be arranged to release in response to a signal from a gas or moisture detector.
Inventors
- 👤 Ian Charles Savill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:12
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L37/00; F16L37/62; B; B60; B60T; B60T17/00; B60T17/04; F16L35/00; F16L37/28; F16L37/38; F16L37/40; F16L37/42; H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/629; H01R13/633; H01R13/637
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A connector apparatus adapted to be connected with a complimentary connector for the supply of energy, signals or a commodity from one to the other, the connector apparatus including an enclosure containing a connection device movable between operative and in-operative positions for engagement with and dis-ehgagement from the complimentary connector, means in the enclosure for moving the connection device into the operative position for making a connection with the complimentary connector and means in the enclosure to respond to a control signal to move the connection device to an inoperative position to break the connection with the complimentary connector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A connector apparatus adapted to be connected with a complimentary connector for the supply of energy, signals or a commodity from one to the other, the connector apparatus including an enclosure containing a connection device movable between operative and in-operative positions for engagement with and dis-ehgagement from the complimentary connector, means in the enclosure for moving the connection device into the operative position for making a connection with the complimentary connector and means in the enclosure to respond to a control signal to move the connection device to an inoperative position to break the connection with the complimentary connector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the connection device includes at least one electrical power connection element so that electrical power can be supplied from the connection to the complimentary connector or vice versa.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the connection device includes at least one signal connector element so that signals can be transmitted from the apparatus to the complimentary connector or vice versa.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connection device includes at least one flow connector element so that a commodity can be transferred from the apparatus to the complimentary connector or vice versa.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
S.Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in combination with a complimentary connector which is adapted to be connected with the apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connection device includes at least one portion which is adapted to mate with the complimentary connector, the disengagement means being arranged to retract the device into the enclosure so as to disengage the complimentary connector from the apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the connection device includes at least one further portion which is adapted to abut the complimentary connector to resist movement of the complimentary connector with respect to the retractable portion upon operation of the disengagement means or vice versa.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further including sensor means to sense an abnormality in the surroundings related to a commodity supplied to the apparatus and for producing the control signal in response thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further including sensor means to sense excessive stress in a cable, hose or the like connected to the apparatus and for producing the control signal in response thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further including sensor means to sense operation of an appliance, vehicle, ship, equipment, or the like, to which the connection is connected and for producing the control signal in response thereto.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
ll.Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said disengagement means comprises a piston and cylinder arrangment disposed to move the connection device and the complimentary connector relative to each other in response to said control signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 11 when dependent on Claim 10 for connecting a vehicle to a supply, said input means being response to a control signal provided by operation of a compressed air system of the vehicle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
l3.Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 10 wherein said disengagement means comprises an electromagnet arrangement disposed to move the connection device and the complimentary connector relative to each other in response to said control signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 13 for connecting a vehicle to a supply, said input means being responsive to a control signal provided by an ignition system of the vehicle or operation of an access to the interior of the vehicle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim including means to sense breaking of said connection and to terminate the supply of energy, signals or a commodity.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further including biassing means to return the connection device after operation of the disengagement means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the connection device has means to lock with a part of the complimentary connector when in said operative position and to release the connector when in the inoperative position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims for fluid flow, wherein the connection device has a fluid passage provided with operable valve means and means tolock the connection device with respect to the complimentary connection in the operative position and with the valve means opened to allow flow of fluid movement of the connector device to the inoperative position closing the valve means and releasing the complimentary connector.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 17 for fluid flow wherein the connection device has means for locking the device to a complimentary connector and for opening valve means on the complimentary connector to release fluid flow therefrom into the connector device, movement of the connector device into the inoperative position allowing said valve means to close and releasing the complimentary connector.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
A vehicle including a connector apparatus according to any preceding claim.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
75 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 17 and having a connector apparatus for connection via a complimentary connector to an external supply, detection means to detect release of the brakes of the vehicle, energisation of the ignition system of the vehicle or some other operation indicative of preparation of the vehicle for use, and means for releasing or facilitating release of the complimentary connector device from the connector apparatus in response to the detection means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
A vehicle as claimed in Claim 18 wherein the connector apparatus is a connector apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 17.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 for an electrical connection, wherein the connection device has means for locking the device to a complimentary connector and electrical connection means closed by locking of the connection device with a corresponding electrical connection on the complimentary connector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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