US3870978A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Abutting electrical contact means using resilient conductive material
Assignee: MA Com Omni Spectra Inc
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Filing: 1973-09-13
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Granted: 1975-03-11
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Expires: 1993-09-13
Abstract
Abstract Electrical contact means for use in connecting a pair of aligned conductors, especially in microwave applications where thermal expansion and contraction is a problem. The contact means comprises at least one block of electrically conductive resilient material engaging the end of an elongated conductor and held in abutting relation with an adjacent conductor, both conductors being within tubular dielectric means which also confines the compressed conductive block. In one form of the invention, a D.C. block in the form of a ceramic capacitor is connected in series with aligned central conductors within a flange mounted connector for a microwave source by means of conductive resilient contact blocks on opposite sides of the capacitor and squeezed between the capacitor and the central conductors. In another form, a pair of aligned central conductors in a two-part hermaphroditic coaxial connector assembly have conductive resilient contacts mounted at their outer ends which are brought into compressed abutting relation when the outer conductors of the two connector parts are drawn into abutment. Various shapes and mounting techniques for the contact blocks are shown, some of which are useful for internal fixed constructions which have a step up or a step down in diameter.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles W Dreyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:45
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R24/00; H01R24/38; H01R24/40; H01R24/42; H01P; H01P1/00; H01P1/04; H01P1/045; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S439/00; Y10S439/933
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
Abutting electrical contact means comprising first and second aligned elongated conductors of electrically conductive relatively rigid material, tubular dielectric member means within which said conductors are disposed, said conductors having end surfaces in facing relation, the diameters of said conductors being substantially equal to the bore within said dielectric member means, and at least one contact block disposed between said facing surfaces, said contact block being fabricated of resilient conductive material whereby thermal expansion and contraction, shock and vibration of said conductors in an axial direction will be absorbed by said block, said contact block being compressed when in its operative position so that at least a substantial portion thereof is spread outwardly against the inner wall of said dielectric member means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
Abutting electrical contact means comprising first and second aligned elongated conductors of electrically conductive relatively rigid material, tubular dielectric member means within which said conductors are disposed, said conductors having end surfaces in facing relation, the diameters of said conductors being substantially equal to the bore within said dielectric member means, and at least one contact block disposed between said facing surfaces, said contact block being fabricated of resilient conductive material whereby thermal expansion and contraction, shock and vibration of said conductors in an axial direction will be absorbed by said block, said contact block being compressed when in its operative position so that at least a substantial portion thereof is spread outwardly against the inner wall of said dielectric member means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
122 words
Abutting electrical contact means comprising first and second aligned elongated conductors of electrically conductive relatively rigid material, tubular dielectric member means within which said conductors are disposed, said conductors having end surfaces in facing relation, the diameters of said conductors being substantially equal to the bore within said dielectric member means, and at least one contact block disposed between said facing surfaces, said contact block being fabricated of resilient conductive material whereby thermal expansion and contraction, shock and vibration of said conductors in an axial direction will be absorbed by said block, said contact block being compressed when in its operative position so that at least a substantial portion thereof is spread outwardly against the inner wall of said dielectric member means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
122 words
Abutting electrical contact means comprising first and second aligned elongated conductors of electrically conductive relatively rigid material, tubular dielectric member means within which said conductors are disposed, said conductors having end surfaces in facing relation, the diameters of said conductors being substantially equal to the bore within said dielectric member means, and at least one contact block disposed between said facing surfaces, said contact block being fabricated of resilient conductive material whereby thermal expansion and contraction, shock and vibration of said conductors in an axial direction will be absorbed by said block, said contact block being compressed when in its operative position so that at least a substantial portion thereof is spread outwardly against the inner wall of said dielectric member means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination according to claim 1, there being two contact blocks between said facing surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination according to claim 2, said contact blocks being compressed against each other and engaging said facing surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combinaTion according to claim 2, further provided with a D.C. block in the form of a ceramic capacitor disposed between said two electrically conductive blocks, said capacitor having conductive outer surfaces against which the contact blocks are compressed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination according to claim 4, said ceramic capacitor having slight radial play within said tubular dielectric member means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination according to claim 2, said contact blocks being mounted on the ends of said conductors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination according to claim 2, further provided with an annular outer conductor surrounding said two aligned conductors, said dielectric member means comprising an insulative bushing between the central conductors and outer conductor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
109 words
The combination according to claim 2, said two contact blocks being carried by the ends of said aligned conductors, each conductor being part of a connector, said two connectors being identical, each connector further comprising an outer conductor, said dielectric means comprising a dielectric insulative sleeve between the inner and outer conductors, the outer conductors having facing radial surfaces, the outer ends of said contact blocks in their unstressed condition being axially outwardly of said radial surfaces, and means for drawing together said two connectors whereby the contact blocks will be compressed against each other and the outer conductors brought into conductive relation to form a hermaphroditic connector assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination according to claim 8, each contact block comprising an outer cylindrical portion and an inner portion of lesser diameter disposed within a counterbore in its conductor with a compressive fit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination according to claim 9, further provided with a conductive epoxy bond between the contacting radial surfaces of the contact block and conductor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination according to claim 1, there being a single contact block between said facing surfaces.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The combination according to claim 11, further provided with a D.C. block in the form of a ceramic capacitor disposed between said two conductors, said capacitor having conductive outer surfaces against one of which said contact block is compressed and against the other of which the end of an elongated conductor is compressed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination according to claim 12, said ceramic capacitor having slight radial play within said dielectric member means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
91 words
A connector for a microwave source comprising an outer conductive housing attachable to the microwave source, a bore within said housing, a dielectric insulative bushing within said bore, a pair of aligned central conductors of relatively rigid material secured within said bushing in spaced relation, a D.C. block in the form of a ceramic capacitor disposed between the facing surfaces of said central conductors, and at least one contact block of resilient conductive material compressed between an end surface of one central conductor and a facing outer surface of said capacitor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
91 words
A connector for a microwave source comprising an outer conductive housing attachable to the microwave source, a bore within said housing, a dielectric insulative bushing within said bore, a pair of aligned central conductors of relatively rigid material secured within said bushing in spaced relation, a D.C. block in the form of a ceramic capacitor disposed between the facing surfaces of said central conductors, and at least one contact block of resilient conductive material compressed between an end surface of one central conductor and a facing outer surface of said capacitor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination according to claim 14, said contact blocks being of spherical shape in their unstressed condition whereby they will assume flattened spheroidal shapes when compressed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination according to claim 15, said central conductors being provided with tapered shoulders whereby they may be pressed into said bushing from opposite sides and held thereby.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination according to claim 14, said ceramic capacitor having slight radial play in said bushing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination according to claim 17, there being two contact blocks between said conductors and capacitor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
133 words
A connector for use in a hermaphroditic connector assembly comprising a central conductor of elongated cylindrical shape, an outer conductor of annular shape surrounding said central conductor, a dielectric insulative bushing therebetween, said outer conductor having a radial end surface, said bushing having an end surface spaced axially inwardly from said outer conductor end suRface, said central conductor having an end surface spaced axially inwardly from said bushing end surface, a contact block of conductive resilient material secured to the outer end of said central conductor and having an outer surface spaced axially outwardly from the plane of said outer conductor end surface, and means for drawing two identical such connectors together so that their outer conductor end surfaces are in electrically conductive relation and their resilient conductive contact blocks are compressed together.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
133 words
A connector for use in a hermaphroditic connector assembly comprising a central conductor of elongated cylindrical shape, an outer conductor of annular shape surrounding said central conductor, a dielectric insulative bushing therebetween, said outer conductor having a radial end surface, said bushing having an end surface spaced axially inwardly from said outer conductor end suRface, said central conductor having an end surface spaced axially inwardly from said bushing end surface, a contact block of conductive resilient material secured to the outer end of said central conductor and having an outer surface spaced axially outwardly from the plane of said outer conductor end surface, and means for drawing two identical such connectors together so that their outer conductor end surfaces are in electrically conductive relation and their resilient conductive contact blocks are compressed together.
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) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |