Patent US3643207A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3643207A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sealed electrical connector
Assignee: CHALLENGER MARINE CONNECTORS Inc
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Filing: 1970-08-28
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Granted: 1972-02-15
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Expires: 1990-08-28
Abstract
Abstract A reusable electrical connector for making an electrical connection in adverse environments in which the electrical connection is made by passing a contact through a self-sealing, precut opening into a sealed chamber filled with dielectric fluid to electrically contact a contact position in the fluid and which chamber has means for instantaneously adjusting in volume to changes in the ambient pressure or with the insertion or removal of the electrical contact to maintain interior portions in equilibrium with the pressure of the environment and to prevent the loss of fluid from the sealed chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 James L Cairns
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:15
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/52; H01R13/523
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A sealed electrical connector comprising, first and second bodies, said first body having a sealed chamber for containing dielectric fluid sealed therein, a first electrical connector positioned in said sealed chamber, said second body having a second electrical connector, said second electrical connector including an insulated projection with an exposed conductor tip, sealable opening means in said chamber for passing said second electrical connector into said sealed chamber for said conductor tip to electrically contact said first electrical contact in the dielectric fluid, and said sealed chamber has means for increasing and decreasing the volume of said chamber by changing the shape of a flexible member without stretching said member or otherwise creating a pressure differential from the inside to the outside of the chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A sealed electrical connector comprising, first and second bodies, said first body having a sealed chamber for containing dielectric fluid sealed therein, a first electrical connector positioned in said sealed chamber, said second body having a second electrical connector, said second electrical connector including an insulated projection with an exposed conductor tip, sealable opening means in said chamber for passing said second electrical connector into said sealed chamber for said conductor tip to electrically contact said first electrical contact in the dielectric fluid, and said sealed chamber has means for increasing and decreasing the volume of said chamber by changing the shape of a flexible member without stretching said member or otherwise creating a pressure differential from the inside to the outside of the chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A sealed electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 in which, said sealed chamber has a nonexpandable housing, and said volume increasing and decreasing means comprises a flexible member sealably covering a hole through said housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A sealed electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 in which, said increasing and decreasing means includes a flexible member that is open to the environment outside said first body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A sealed electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 in which, said increasing and decreasing means includes a flexible member positioned in said chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A sealed electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 in which, said second electrical connector has a given cross-sectional configuration, and said sealable opening means includes a resilient member having a precut slit-shaped opening shaped to said given cross-sectional configuration, the sides of which sealably compress to close said opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A sealed electrical connector as claimed in claim 5 in which, said sealable opening means is spaced from said first electrical connector a distance greater than the length of the exposed conductor tip.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
A sealed electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 in which, said sealed chamber has a nonexpandable housing with an opening through the wall of said chamber, a resilient diaphragm sealing member for being positioned in said opening, and said sealable opening means includes a compressed precut opening through said diaphragm that is biased to the sealed condition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A sealed electrical connector as claimed in claim 7 in which, said precut opening comprises a slit having notched edge surfaces for guiding said second electrical conductor to said slit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A sealed electrical connector as claimed in claim 7 including, backing means for holding said diaphragm member in position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A sealed electrical connector as claimed in claim 9 including, said backing means comprises plates positioned on each side of said diaphragm, and said plates having openings therethrough aligned with said precut opening.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
A sealed electrical connector as claimed in claim 10 in which, said increasing and decreasing means comprises a flexible member that projects into said sealed chamber forming a cavity, and said diaphragm and backing means having aligned openings that open said cavity to the environment outside said first body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A sealed electrical connector as claimed in claim 11 in which, said flexible member is integral with said diaphragm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A sealed electrical connector as claimed in claim 12 in which, said second electrical connector includes at least one thin blade electrode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
A sealed electrical connector as claimed in claim 13 including, coupling means for securing said first electrical connector with said second electrical connector, and said coupling means having an opening therethrough for communicating with said cavity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-14 | 1975-08-16 | 1976-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-14 | 1979-08-16 | 1980-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-14 | 1983-08-16 | 1984-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |