Electrical connector for submarine repeaters or the like

Claim 1

A detachable electrical connector assembly including a pair of mateable connector sub-assemblies providing an electrical connection between separated high and low fluid pressure environments, the combination comprising: a bulkhead separating said high and low pressure fluid environments and having an aperture therethrough; a first connector assembly; first means for mounting said first connector sub-assembly partially through said bulkhead aperature and adjacent the low pressure side of said bulkhead, said first means including means providing a resilient compressive retaining force between a surface of the body of said first connector sub-assembly and the surface of said bulkhead low pressure side when said sub-assemblies are not mated; second means including a first seal compressed between said first connector sub-assembly body surface and said bulkhead low pressure side in response to said retaining force, an inert gas present against said low pressure side of said bulkhead; a second connector assembly mateable from the high pressure side of said bulkhead into said first connector assembly, the dimensions of said bulkhead and said connectors being such that, upon mating of said connector assemblies said first connector overtravels against said resilient compressive retaining force to an extent permitting said inert gas to readily flow past said first seal into the volume surrounding the electrical connection between said connector assemblies, said first seal being restored by said resilient compressive force to retain said low pressure fluid when said second connector sub-assembly is withdrawn to break said electrical connection.