Connector

Claim 1

An electrical connector suitable for underwater use comprising a plug and a socket for the plug, a. said socket having an internal sPace providing a reservoir for an electrically non-conductive liquid lighter than water, said reservoir being open at one end for insertion of said plug and being closed at the other end, there being at least one depression in said closed end, said depression containing an electrical contact member having provision for connection to an electrical cable, and b. said plug having at least one electrical contact member projecting from one end, said plug contact member having provision for connection to an electrical cable, and said plug also having an internal space providing a storage reservoir for liquid, a reduced diameter opening leading from one end of the plug reservoir to the exterior of the plug adjacent said projecting member and a second reduced diameter opening leading from the other end of the plug reservoir to the exterior of said plug at the corresponding end, said plug being of a configuration to enter and fill the socket reservoir, whereby, when the plug is inserted into the socket, the plug will force said electrically non-conductive liquid present in the socket reservoir through the opening adjacent the projecting member into the plug storage reservoir, and water present in the plug storage reservoir, will thereby be displaced and forced through the opening at the other end of the plug reservoir, out of the plug, and the electrical contact member projecting from the plug will fit into the depression in the socket and make electrical connection with the electrical contact piece in the depression.

Claim 7

A method of reducing corrosion from electrolysis in the use of an electrical connector making an electrical connection under water between two electrical cables, the connector having a plug and a a socket for the plug, the socket having an internal space providing a reservoir for a liquid open at one end for insertion of the plug and closed at the other end and having a depression in the closed end containing an electrical contact member, and the plug being of a configuration to enter and fill the socket reservoir and having an electrical contact member projecting from one end for insertion in the depression in the socket and a reservoir for liquid open at both ends, one of said cables being connected to the electrical contact member of the plug and the other to the electrical contact member of the plug, which method comprises: holding the socket below the water surface with the open end facing downwards, thereafter filling the socket reservoir with a water immiscible electrically non-conductive liquid lighter than water and then, while maintaining the downward facing position of the socket, inserting the plug in the socket, whereby the liquid lighter than water is forced from the socket reservoir into the open-ended plug reservoir and water in the plug reservoir is displaced and forced out of the plug reservoir, and contact is made between the respective contact members in the plug and socket.

Claim 8

A method of reducing corrosion from electrolysis in the use of an electrical connector making an electrical connection under water between two electrical cables, the connector having a plug and a a socket for the plug, the socket having an internal space providing a reservoir for a liquid open at one end for insertion of the plug and closed at the other end and having a depression in the closed end containing an electrical contact member, and the plug being of a configuration to enter and fill the socket reservoir and having an electrical contact member projecting from one end for insertion in the depression in the socket and a reservoir for liquid open at both ends, one of said cables being connected to the electrical contact member of the plug and the other to the electrical contact member of the plug, which method comprises: holding the socket below the water surface with the open end facing downwards, thereafter filling the socket reservoir with a water immiscible electrically non-conductive liquid lighter than water and then, while maintaining the downward facing position of the socket, inserting the plug in the socket, whereby the liquid lighter than water is forced from the socket reservoir into the open-ended plug reservoir and water in the plug reservoir is displaced and forced out of the plug reservoir, and contact is made between the respective contact members in the plug and socket.