EP2498344B1 - Steckverbinder - Google Patents

Steckverbinder Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2498344B1
EP2498344B1 EP12170340.9A EP12170340A EP2498344B1 EP 2498344 B1 EP2498344 B1 EP 2498344B1 EP 12170340 A EP12170340 A EP 12170340A EP 2498344 B1 EP2498344 B1 EP 2498344B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pin
connector
support
insulating
elastomeric membrane
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP12170340.9A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2498344A1 (de
Inventor
Michael Christopher Marklove
John Rogers
Jonathan Hardisty
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Siemens AG
Original Assignee
Siemens AG
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Siemens AG filed Critical Siemens AG
Publication of EP2498344A1 publication Critical patent/EP2498344A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2498344B1 publication Critical patent/EP2498344B1/de
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/52—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
    • H01R13/523—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases for use under water
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/03—Contact members characterised by the material, e.g. plating, or coating materials
    • H01R13/035—Plated dielectric material
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/52—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
    • H01R13/521—Sealing between contact members and housing, e.g. sealing insert

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electrical connector for use underwater or in a wet or severe environment comprising first and second connector parts adapted to be interengaged to establish an electrical connection. It also related to a connector part for such a connector.
  • Electrical connectors for use underwater are known, for example from United Kingdom patent application No. GB-A-2,192,316 , to have first and second connector parts in which the first connector part has at least one pin projecting from a support which is inserted into a housing and fixed in place by a retainer ring.
  • the pin has an axially extending conductive copper core surrounded by an insulating sleeve which is arranged to expose an area of the conductive core at or near the tip of the pin for making electrical contact with a contact socket in the second connector part.
  • the housing extends in an axial direction from the support, radially outwardly of the contact pins, for alignment with and to receive the housing of the second connector part during interengagement.
  • This extended housing of the first connector part defines a pin chamber in which the pins extend.
  • this pin chamber In the de-mated condition this pin chamber is exposed to the external environment and flooded with, for example, sea water.
  • the insulating sleeve is intended to insulate the conductive core of the pin from exposure to the external environment.
  • GB-A-2,192,316 discloses an embodiment of a connector having a wiper member provided on a resiliently biased piston for removing contaminants from the outer surface of the pin prior to the entry of the pin into sealed chambers of the second connector part.
  • the wiper is pushed rearwardly along the pin by the other connector half as it advances.
  • the pin chamber defined by the first connector housing behind the piston reduces in volume during this process.
  • the chamber is connected to the external environment, or "free flooded", in order to allow the change in volume.
  • GB-A-2,264,201 discloses an underwater electrical connector having a plurality of pins extending from and supported by a pin carrier and having a pin carrier seal provided at the face of the pin carrier, adjacent to the pins.
  • the contact areas of the pins are electrically isolated from the external environment at all times by way of a slidable and resiliently biased dielectric seal carrier disposed on the pins.
  • the dielectric seal carrier contains an insulating dielectric fluid sealed in a carrier cavity by forward and rearward annular o-ring seals disposed between the pins and the carrier body.
  • the pin chamber defined by the volume inside the housing behind the dielectric seal carrier and in front of the pin carrier is open to the external environment of seawater, i.e. it is free flooded.
  • the dielectric seal carrier is pushed rearwardly along the pins compressing the resiliently biased helical spring.
  • the seawater trapped in the pin chamber is allowed to escape to the external environment by a vent hole as the volume of the pin chamber is reduced.
  • a pin protector inner overseal on the rear of the dielectric seal carrier and the pin carrier seal are arranged such that they are energised to expel any seawater from between their joining faces.
  • the purpose of the pin carrier seal is to seal the pin against the outside environment when the connector parts are fully mated.
  • GB-A-2,330,702 discloses an underwater electrical connector part having a resiliently biased, axially movable shuttle provided between the pins and the housing.
  • the pins are retained in a chamber defined by a membrane containing insulating fluid. In this case, therefore, the pin chamber is not free flooded.
  • the membrane is connected to the axially rearward face of the shuttle and the axially forward face of the pin support and double o-ring seals are provided between the shuttle and the pins to seal the chamber from the external environment.
  • the connector part is flooded with seawater from the external environment radially outwardly of the membrane.
  • the membrane is of a suitable material to allow for pressure balancing in the pin chamber when the shuttle is moved rearwardly against the resilient bias of a helical spring during interengagement of the connectors.
  • the sealed chamber and shuttle arrangement provides a seal for the base of the pins at all times.
  • the movable shuttle and membrane arrangement is a complicated arrangement which provides protection from the external environment to the whole of the length of the pin. This may make the apparatus more prone to failure due to the large number of moving parts and the moving seals.
  • US-A-2005/0202720 discloses a hermetic pressure connector for providing an electrically conductive connection through a hole in a bulkhead, the connector having a high pressure side and a low pressure side defined by a transverse support member through which extends a plurality of pins supported on a molded connector body.
  • the transverse support member may be made of metal and is provided as a block arranged to seat against a pressure bearing ledge of the bulkhead and abut the bulkhead at its outer diameter.
  • the pins have an insulating sleeve and the molded connector body sealingly engages the transverse support member, the connector pins and the insulating sleeves.
  • the transverse support member offers mechanical support to each of the pins where they protrude from the molded connector body.
  • a wet-mateable connector which has a dielectric base and multiple electrical contact pins.
  • a cavity filled with dielectric fluid is provided which is pressure compensated to the outside environment by a hydraulic hose with which it is in fluid communication.
  • the document EP 0 048 601 A2 discloses an underwater co-axial connector having a central contact pin surrounded by an insulating layer, wherein an outer contact layer surrounds the insulating layer and extends almost the full length of the pin to form a dual conductor contact probe.
  • GB-A-2,361,365 discloses a high voltage electrical connector comprising a first connector part having pins which are arranged to, during interengagement, pass through a seal of a second connector part into a sealed chamber to make an electrical connection therein.
  • the pins have an axially extending conductive core surrounded by an axially extending insulating portion.
  • This high electrical field gradient subjects the seal to high electrical field stress which, after prolonged use, can lead to degradation and failure of the seal, leakage into the sealed chamber and damage to the second connector part.
  • a screening conductive layer electrode is embedded in the pin arranged to screen the seal of the second chamber from a concentration of equipotential electrical field lines in the mated condition. This embedded screening electrode leads to a connector pin structure which may be difficult to mold.
  • An alternative known arrangement is to provide a metal screening sleeve embedded in the pin at the pin base and the insulative layer of the pin being formed to have a recess in which the metal screening sleeve is seated so that its outer surface is flush with the outer surface of the insulative layer of the pin forwardly of the sleeve. This structure requires careful molding of the pin.
  • the present invention provides a connector for use underwater or in a wet or severe environment, comprising first and second connector parts adapted to be interengaged to establish an electrical connection, the first connector part having at least one pin, and the second connector part having at least one electrical contact for engagement by the pin when the connector parts are interengaged, the pin comprising an axially extending electrically conductive portion and an axially extending electrically insulating sleeve around said conductive portion, and the pin being supported by and projecting axially forwardly from a support whereby its insulating sleeve is exposed along a longitudinally extending portion thereof to ambient conditions when the connector parts are disengaged, and the first connector part having a protective member arranged to protect a portion of the insulating sleeve forwardly of and adjacent to the support at least when the connector parts are disengaged.
  • Protection may be provided by creating a sealed area to prevent exposure of the protected portion of the insulating sleeve to ambient conditions, or by mechanical support or reinforcement of the portion being protected. In certain embodiments, both a sealed area and mechanical support or reinforcement are provided.
  • the invention has the advantage of protecting an area of the insulating sleeve which in known connectors may be subject to cracking.
  • the protective member arranged to protect a portion of the insulating sleeve of the pin in the connector can prevent the exposure of the electrically conductive portion to the ambient environment, thus extending the operational lifetime of the connector and reducing the maintenance costs of the user.
  • the pin may have various longitudinal profiles. It may for example have a longitudinal profile in which the diameter varies along the length of the pin. In some embodiments, the pin may have a wider diameter portion where it is carried by the support and a narrower diameter portion extending forwardly from the support. This can improve the strength of the pin against any bending or shock loads.
  • the protected portion of the insulating sleeve may comprise a conically shaped section adjacent to the support and an axially cylindrical section extending forwardly from the conical section.
  • the protected portion of the insulating sleeve is protected by resilient sealing means which engages the pin to prevent exposure of said protected portion to ambient conditions.
  • the protected portion of the pin is sealed off from the external environment such that if cracks were to develop in the pin base due to stress in that area, the connector would not fail.
  • the sealing means may comprise an elastomeric membrane.
  • the elastomeric membrane may engage the outer surface of the insulating sleeve over the full longitudinal extent of the protected portion.
  • the sealing means may comprise an o-ring seal, or a plurality of o-ring seals.
  • an insulating medium is disposed rearwardly of the sealing means.
  • the insulating is be a compliant material such as an elastomeric or polymeric material, or is an insulating fluid such as an oil. Such materials can expand an contract with changes in temperature and pressure, so as to help maintain the integrity of the sealing means and hence that of the protected area.
  • the insulating medium insulates the protected portion of the pin.
  • the protective member in form of the resilient sealing means and the insulating medium is arranged to prevent the exposure of the protected portion to ambient conditions.
  • the protective member may provide mechanical support to the protected portion of the insulating sleeve.
  • the protective member may comprise a rigid metal sleeve surrounding the insulating sleeve.
  • the protective member may comprise a rigid supporting portion connected to a housing of the first connector part.
  • the rigid supporting portion may form an integral part of the housing of the first connector part or may be mechanically or sealingly connected to the housing of the first connector part or the support by any suitable connecting means, such as, for example, a locking ring, a screw thread, a clamping plate or a compression seal connection or may simply abut against the housing to provide mechanical support.
  • the protective member can provide sufficient mechanical support to the protected portion of the pin to prevent cracking of the pin in that area.
  • the protected portion may also be protected by resilient sealing means engaging the pin to prevent exposure of said protected area to ambient conditions.
  • the protective member is preferably not provided in a sliding seal arrangement.
  • sealing means engages the same part of the pin irrespective of whether the connector parts are interengaged or disengaged.
  • the insulating sleeve of the pin has a first portion with a first diameter in front of a second portion with a second diameter wider than the first diameter, and the connector part having a protective rigid metal sleeve member arranged to extend at least partly along the first portion of the insulating sleeve and at least partly along the second portion thereof, the rigid metal sleeve providing mechanical support to the protected portion of the pin.
  • Known connector pins may be subject to mechanical stress, particularly at the base area of the connector pin proximal to where the pin projects axially from the support.
  • the stress may result from bending moments exerted on the pin where it projects from the support during mating of the connector parts, for example if there is any misalignment.
  • the stress may also result from residual bending stresses due to the moulding process and the manufacturing techniques by which the pin itself is formed.
  • providing the pin with an insulating sleeve having a first portion with a first diameter in front of a second portion with a second diameter wider than the first diameter, and the connector part having a protective rigid metal sleeve member arranged to extend at least partly along the first portion of the insulating sleeve and at least partly along the second portion thereof gives a pin shape which provides mechanical support to the protected portion such that any tendency for cracking of the pin due to high stress in that area is reduced. It also reinforces the protected portion of the pin and strengthens it against bending stresses acting on the pin or may offer support against the bending stresses acting on the pin by way of reactionary forces, such that the stresses will not result in the cracking of the pin.
  • This arrangement can therefore prevent the exposure of the electrically conductive portion to the ambient environment. This extends the operational lifetime of the connector and reduces the maintenance costs of the user.
  • This arrangement also reduces the localised condensing of equipotential electrical field lines in the region radially outwardly and behind the front of the rigid metal sleeve thus reducing electrical stress on any material in those screened regions.
  • the rigid metal sleeve preferably follows the longitudinal profile of the insulating sleeve.
  • the rigid metal sleeve may also have a corresponding longitudinal profile.
  • the rigid metal sleeve may have a conical section corresponding to a conical section of the insulating sleeve.
  • the pin may have the second wider diameter portion where it is carried by the support and the narrower diameter portion extending forwardly from the support. This can improve the strength of the pin against any bending or shock loads.
  • the protected portion of the insulating sleeve may comprise a conically shaped section adjacent to the support and an axially cylindrical section extending forwardly from the conical section.
  • the second portion of the insulating sleeve having the second diameter is substantially cylindrical, i.e. the second diameter is constant over the axial length of the cylinder.
  • the axial cylindrical extent of the insulating sleeve portion of the pin along which the rigid metal sleeve at least partly extends offers high rigidity and mechanical support to the protected portion of the pin and suppresses cracking.
  • the metal sleeve member extends in the support and projects forwardly therefrom.
  • the first connector part has a protective rigid metal sleeve arranged to protect a portion of the insulating sleeve forwardly of and adjacent to the support at least when the connector parts are disengaged, the rigid metal sleeve surrounding the insulating sleeve of that pin only, the rigid metal sleeve extending in and abutting against the support and extending along at least part of the protected portion of the pin forwardly of the support, whereby the rigid metal sleeve provides mechanical support to the protected portion of the pin, and wherein the external diameter of the insulating sleeve in at least the foremost region of the protected portion of the pin is greater than or equal to the external diameter of the insulating sleeve in the region immediately forward of the protected portion of the pin.
  • the manufacturing process for preparing the pin and the metal sleeve is simplified by providing the metal sleeve as a metal sleeve for the pin which provides a high level of protection.
  • the rigid metal sleeve provides mechanical support to that pin by extending in and abutting against the support and also extending along the protected portion of the pin.
  • the individual rigid metal sleeve offers high suppression of bending and cracking in the protected portion of that pin forwardly of the support due to the abutment of the rigid metal sleeve against the support but has a simple construction.
  • each pin is preferably provided with a respective rigid metal sleeve.
  • the manufacturing process for the pin is simplified because no recess in the surface of insulating sleeve is required as a seat for the rigid metal sleeve. Instead the rigid metal sleeve is seated on the outer surface of the insulating sleeve which has a diameter that does not decrease in the protected portion of the pin, and therefore the pin can be simply manufactured with no complicated moulding required.
  • the rigid metal sleeve can for example be put in position by merely sliding it over the pin.
  • the pin and rigid metal sleeve of the embodiment can be manufactured separately having an appropriate shape to fit into the support bore and they can then be inserted into the support individually. Further, should any pin or rigid metal sleeve fail and require replacement, that pin and rigid support sleeve can be removed and replaced individually. No elaborate or complicated arrangement of a rigid support block that matches the shape of the housing and all of the pins in the connector is needed to provide mechanical support. Such an elaborate arrangement requires complicated dismantling of the connector and removal of the pins and the rigid metal support block should any of the pins or the rigid metal support block fail and require replacement.
  • the rigid metal sleeve is preferably provided on and protrudes radially from the surface of the insulating sleeve and so does not have an outer surface which is flush with the outer surface of the insulating sleeve.
  • the protective member is preferably not provided in a sliding seal arrangement. Thus in this arrangement, the protective member engages the same part of the pin irrespective of whether the connector parts are interengaged or disengaged.
  • the protected portion of the insulating sleeve preferably comprises a conically shaped section adjacent to the support and an axially cylindrical section extending forwardly from the conical section.
  • the rigid metal sleeve provides mechanical support to the protected portion of the insulating sleeve.
  • the protected portion may also be protected by resilient sealing means engaging the pin to prevent exposure of said protected area to ambient conditions.
  • the protected portion of the pin is also provided with a resilient seal to prevent exposure to the ambient environment such that, even if, despite the mechanical support, the protected portion of the pin is subject to cracking, the failure of the connector can be prevented.
  • the resilient seal may for example be one or more o-rings sealing between the metal sleeve and the support.
  • the insulating sleeve has a metal or metallised coating deposited on its surface at least along a length of the pin extending forwardly from the support, the metal or metallised coating suppressing the ingress of water to the pin and reducing localised condensing of equipotential electric field lines in the region radially outwardly and behind the front of the rigid metal sleeve.
  • the pin provides protection from electrical field stresses on material in the region outwardly of and behind the metal coating and protection from water ingress in the area forwardly of the support by a very simple construction comprising a metallised coating layer on the surface of the pin.
  • a very simple construction comprising a metallised coating layer on the surface of the pin.
  • the coating may be arranged such that, when the connector parts are fully interengaged, any seals in the second connector part are screened from concentration of equipotential electrical field lines and electrical stresses.
  • the provision of a metal or metallised coating on the insulating sleeve of the pin can help to suppress water ingress and reduce attack of the insulating sleeve material which prolongs the life of the connector part as well as offering an electrical field control effect.
  • the metallised coating may not be pure metal, for example the metallised coating may be metallic paint. Alternatively the metal coating may be pure metal.
  • the coating may comprise a plurality of layers, e.g. two layers. Thus there may be a base layer and a top layer.
  • the coating may comprise a base layer of copper and a top layer of nickel.
  • the metal coating may comprise a base layer preferably less than 20 ⁇ m thick.
  • a base layer may for example be copper.
  • the base layer is further preferably less than 15 ⁇ m thick, even more preferably less than 12 ⁇ m thick, and more preferably still less than 10 ⁇ m thick, and even more preferably less than 5 ⁇ m thick.
  • the metal coating may also comprise a top layer less than 20 ⁇ m thick.
  • a top layer may for example be nickel.
  • the top layer is further preferably less than 15 ⁇ m thick, even more preferably less than 12 ⁇ m thick, and more preferably still less than 10 ⁇ m thick, and even more preferably less than 5 ⁇ m thick.
  • the total thickness of the coating is preferably less than 100 ⁇ m, more preferably less than 75 ⁇ m or 50 ⁇ m or 40 ⁇ m or 30 ⁇ m or 20 ⁇ m or 10 ⁇ m. A thickness in the range of 10 ⁇ m to 30 ⁇ m, more preferably 15 ⁇ m to 25 ⁇ m is preferred.
  • the electrical field control in the area forward of the pin is effective and the likelihood of peeling of the coating is low.
  • the method of depositing the metal coating on the pin preferably comprises etching the surface of the insulating sleeve to provide a key, and depositing the metal layer on the keyed surface by a suitable deposition process.
  • an activator is applied to the surface before the coating is applied.
  • Figures 1A and 1B show a male connector part 1 of a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the male connector part is suitable for interengagement with a female connector part (not shown) underwater or in a wet or severe environment. Connecting the male connector part 1 together with the female connector part makes an electrical connection.
  • the male connector part 1 includes at least one pin 4 supported by and extending axially forwardly from an insert 6 sealingly held in a support socket 8 of a housing 10.
  • the insert 6 provides a support for the pin.
  • two pins are shown. however, alternative embodiments have only one pin or more than two pins. In general, at least one pin is provided.
  • the insert 6 may be formed of epoxy resin or any other suitable insulating material.
  • the insert 6 is held in place in the support socket 8 by an insert locking ring 12.
  • any suitable retaining means may be employed, such as a screw thread.
  • the pin 4 extends inside the insert 6 and projects axially rearwardly of the insert 6.
  • the pin is held in place in the insert 6 by a pin retaining ring 14 which abuts against the rear face of the insert 6 such that the pin 4 is securely held in position.
  • any suitable means for retaining the piri in the insert 6 may be employed.
  • the pin 4 extends inside a receptacle 16 defined by the forwardly projecting part of the housing 10.
  • the receptacle is "free flooded" and thus the pin is exposed to the ambient environment at least during the demated condition of the connector parts.
  • the wall of the housing 10 is provided with at least one vent opening 18 to allow displacement of water from the receptacle as the second connector portion enters the receptacle during mating of the male and female connector parts.
  • the pin 4 has an axially extending conducting portion 20 (shown in partial cut-away of the pin only) surrounded by an axially extending insulating portion 22.
  • the pin In cross sectional profile, the pin has a conically shaped section adjacent to the insert 6 and an axially cylindrical section extending forwardly from the conical section. Alternatively, the pin may have any suitable profile.
  • the axially extending insulating portion 22 is arranged such that near the front end of the pin a conducting ring 21, electrically connected to the axially extending conducting portion 20, is exposed to make electrical contact when mated.
  • the pin 4 enters a sealed chamber of the female connector part containing an insulating fluid medium until, in the fully mated position, the axially extending conducting portion of the pin 4 engages an electrical contact in the female connectors part. At this time, the electrical connection is made and the current may be switched on. In the fully mated condition, a portion of the pin 4 surrounded by the electrically insulating sleeve may not have entered the sealed chamber of the female connector part 2 such that it remains exposed to the ambient conditions of the seawater.
  • a portion of the axially extending conducting portion 20 of the pin 4 surrounded by the axially extending insulating portion or sleeve 22 forwardly of and adjacent to the insert 6 is protected by protective means 24.
  • the insulating portion 22 of the pin thus has a protected portion 25 forwardly of and adjacent to the insert 6, and an exposed portion 27 forwardly of the protected portion 25.
  • the protective means 24 comprises a protective member consisting of resilient sealing means in the form of an elastomeric sealing membrane 26 which engages the pin to prevent exposure of the protected portion 25 to ambient conditions.
  • the elastomeric membrane 26 extends radially from the pin to the wall of the housing 10 to prevent any seawater from entering behind it.
  • the elastomeric membrane 26 has a graded or wedge shaped profile 28 extending a distance axially along the outer surface of the electrically insulating sleeve 22 of the pin 4 in sealing engagement therewith.
  • An insulating medium 30 such as a compliant insulating elastomeric or polymeric material, or an insulating fluid such as oil, is disposed rearwardly of the elastomeric membrane 26.
  • This insulating medium 30 insulates the protected portion 25 of the pin 4 and further prevents it from exposure to ambient conditions.
  • the compliant elastomeric membrane 26 accommodates any expansion or contraction of the insulating medium 30 due to pressure or temperature changes, while still ensuring that the protected portion 25 of the pin 4 is prevented from exposure to ambient conditions.
  • FIG 2A shows a male connector part 1 of a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which is similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , but the resilient sealing means comprises an elastomeric membrane 26 extending in a radially outwardly direction from the pin 4 and axially rearwardly direction towards the insert 6.
  • No graded or wedge shaped profile 28 is provided on the elastomeric membrane 26.
  • a compression ring 32 held in place by the insert locking ring 12, abuts against the elastomeric membrane 26 and the insert 6 such that the elastomeric membrane 26 is sealingly engaged with the insert 6 to prevent the protected portion 25 of the pin 4 from exposure to ambient conditions.
  • An insulating medium 30 such as a compliant insulating elastomeric or polymeric material, or an insulating fluid such as oil, is disposed rearwardly of the elastomeric membrane 26.
  • Figure 2B shows a male connector part 1 of a connector according to a variation of the second embodiment of an electrical connector shown in Figure 2A , in which no compression ring is provided and the elastomeric membrane 26 is held in place by being clamped at its radially outward edge between the rear face of the insert locking ring 12 and the front face of the insert 6 such that the elastomeric membrane 26 is sealingly engaged with the insert 6 to prevent the protected portion 25 of the pin 4 from exposure to ambient conditions.
  • Figure 2C shows a male connector part 1 of a connector according to another variation of the second embodiment of an electrical connector shown in Figure 2A , in which no compression ring is provided and the radially inner face of the insert locking ring 12 abuts directly against the elastomeric membrane 26 and the insert 6 such that the elastomeric membrane 26 is sealingly engaged with the insert 6 to prevent the protected portion 25 of the pin 4 from exposure to ambient conditions.
  • Figure 3 shows a male connector part 1 of a connector not being part of the present invention wherein the resilient sealing means comprises an elastomeric membrane 26 extending axially a distance axially along the surface of the electrically insulating sleeve 22 in sealing engagement therewith.
  • the elastomeric membrane 26 engages the outer surface of the insulating sleeve 22 over the full longitudinal extent of the protected portion 25 of the pin 4.
  • the elastomeric membrane 26 is clamped under the insert locking ring 12 such that it sealingly engages the front face of the insert 6.
  • the elastomeric membrane 26 is arranged such that it sealingly engages more than one pin 4, if provided.
  • the protective means 24, in the form of the resilient sealing means of the elastomeric membrane 26, prevents the exposure of the protected portion 25 to ambient conditions, such as seawater, and thus the use of the connector can continue without resulting in connector failure.
  • Figure 4 shows a male connector part 1 of a connector not being part of the present invention, which is similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 3 , but the resilient sealing means comprises an elastomeric membrane 26 extending axially along the surface of the electrically insulating sleeve 22 in sealing engagement therewith a distance forwardly and rearwardly of the front face of the insert 6.
  • the elastomeric membrane 26 engages the outer surface of the insulating portion 22 over the full longitudinal extent of the protected portion 25 of the pin 4.
  • the portion of the elastomeric membrane 26 extending axially rearward of the front face of the insert 6 is provided in sealing engagement 34 with the insert 6 such that the protected portion 25 of the pin 4 is prevented from exposure to the ambient environment.
  • This fourth electrical connector design provides an individual elastomeric membrane 26 seal for each pin 4.
  • the protective means 24 can be used for individual pins in a variety of pin arrangements.
  • Figures 5A and 5B show a male connector part 1 of a connector not being part of the present invention wherein the protective means 24 comprises a rigid supporting sleeve 36 which provides mechanical support to the protected portion 25 of the pin 4.
  • the rigid supporting sleeve 36 extends axially along the surface of the electrically insulating sleeve 22 of the pin 4 a distance forwardly and rearwardly of the front face of the insert 6.
  • the rigid supporting sleeve 36 engages the outer surface of the insulating sleeve 22 over the full longitudinal extent of the protected portion 25 of the pin 4.
  • the rigid supporting sleeve 36 is provided as an individual rigid supporting sleeve 36 for each pin 4A, 4B which provides a high level of protection to the pin which it surrounds.
  • the rigid supporting sleeve 36 provides mechanical support to that pin and no others by extending in and abutting against the insert 6 and also extending along the protected portion 25 of the pin 4.
  • the external diameter of the insulating sleeve 22 in at least the foremost region of the protected portion 25 of the pin 4 is greater than or equal to the external diameter of the insulating sleeve 22 in the region 23 immediately forward of the protected portion 25 of the pin. In this way, no recess in the surface of insulating sleeve 22 is required as a seat for the rigid supporting sleeve 36. Instead the rigid supporting sleeve 36 is seated on the outer surface of the insulating sleeve 22 which has a diameter that does not decrease in the protected portion 25 of the pin 4, and therefore the pin 4 can be simply manufactured with no complicated moulding required and rigid supporting sleeve 36 can be put in position by merely sliding it over the pin 4.
  • the insulating sleeve 22 of the pin 4 has a first portion 4i with a first diameter in front of a second portion 4ii with a second diameter wider than the first diameter.
  • a conically shaped portion 4iii is provided between the first portion 4i and the second portion.
  • the rigid supporting sleeve 36 is arranged to extend at least partly along the first portion 4i of the insulating sleeve 22 and at least partly along the second portion 4ii thereof. The rigid supporting sleeve 36 provides mechanical support to the protected portion 25 of the pin 4.
  • the rigid supporting sleeve 36 is preferably comprised of rigid material such as a metal or may be a polymeric component of high stiffness.
  • the rigid supporting sleeve 36 reinforces the protected portion 25 of the pin 4 and strengthens it against bending or shock stresses. It offers support against stresses acting on the pin by way of reactionary forces, such that the stresses will not result in the cracking of the pin.
  • the rigid supporting sleeve 36 is provided in sealing engagement with the electrically insulating sleeve 22 of the pin such that the protected portion 25 of the pin 4 is also prevented from exposure to the ambient environment. This can be achieved for example by insert moulding. However, even if the sleeve 36 does not form a watertight seal with the sleeve 22, it can provide mechanical reinforcement and thereby prevent or minimise cracking or the propagation of cracks. An o-ring seal is provided between the rigid supporting sleeve 36 and the support 6 to seal the interface therebetween.
  • the pin 4 has an axially extending conducting portion 20 (shown in partial cut-away of the pin only) surrounded by an axially extending insulating portion 22.
  • the pin 4 In cross sectional profile, the pin 4 has a conically shaped section adjacent to the insert 6 and an axially cylindrical section extending forwardly from the conical section. Alternatively, the pin may have any suitable profile.
  • the axially extending insulating portion 22 is arranged such that near the front end of the pin a conducting ring 21, electrically connected to the axially extending conducting portion 20, is exposed to make electrical contact when mated.
  • Figures 6A and 6B show a male connector part 1 of a connector not being part of the present invention, wherein the protective-means 24 comprises a rigid supporting portion 38 connected to the housing 10 of the male connector part 1.
  • the rigid supporting portion 38 surrounds the full axial extent of the protected portion 25 of the pin 4 and extends a distance radially outwardly.
  • the rigid supporting portion 38 is an integrally formed part of the housing 10.
  • the rigid supporting portion 38 may be connected to the insert 6 by being integrally formed therewith or otherwise instead of being connected to the housing 10.
  • the rigid supporting portion 38 reinforces the protected portion 25 of the pin 4 and strengthens it against bending or shock stresses. It offers support against stresses acting on the pin by way of reactionary forces, such that the stresses will not result in the cracking of the pin.
  • Resilient sealing means 40 engaging the pin 4 is provided to prevent exposure of the protected area of the pin 4 to ambient conditions. Thus, even if, despite the mechanical support, the protected portion 25 of the pin 4 is subject to cracking, the failure of the connector can be prevented.
  • the resilient sealing means 40 comprises an o-ring seal engaging the pin 4 and the rigid supporting portion 38.
  • Figure 7 shows a male connector part 1 of a connector not being part of the present invention, which is similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 6A and 6B , but the protective means 24 comprises a rigid supporting portion 38 which fits into the receptacle 16 to abut against the inner wall of the housing 10 and provide mechanical support to the pin 4 or pins.
  • the rigid supporting portion 38 reinforces the protected portion 25 of the pin 4 and strengthens it against bending or shock stresses. It offers support against stresses acting on the pin by way of reactionary forces, such that the stresses will not result in the cracking of the pin.
  • This abutting rigid supporting portion 38 is sealingly connected to the housing 10 by resilient outer o-ring seals 42 and resilient sealing means 40 engaging the pin may be provided in the form of o-ring seals such that the protected portion 25 of the pin 4 is prevented from exposure to the external environment.
  • Figure 8 shows a male embodiment of the present invention, which is similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 6A and 6B and Figure 7 , but the protective means 24 comprises a rigid supporting portion 38 and a clamped front plate 44.
  • the rigid supporting portion 38 is an integrally formed part of the housing 10. Alternatively, the rigid supporting portion 38 may fit into the receptacle 16 to abut against the inner wall of the housing 10.
  • the clamped front plate 44 is held in position by at least one bolt 46.
  • a resilient face o-ring compression seal 48 engaging the rear face of the clamped front plate 44 and the front face of the rigid supporting portion 38 and resilient sealing means 40 engaging the pin may be provided to prevent the exposure of the protected portion 25 of the pin 4 to the external environment.
  • the rigid supporting portion 38 reinforces the protected portion 25 of the pin 4 and strengthens it against bending or shock stresses. It offers support against the bending stresses acting on the pin by way of reactionary forces, such that the stresses will not result in the cracking of the pin.
  • the protective means 24 is preferably not provided in a sliding seal arrangement.
  • the protected portion 25 of the insulating sleeve 22 may comprise a conically shaped section adjacent to the insert 6 and an axially cylindrical section extending forwardly from the conical section.
  • Figure 9 shows a connector pin 104 of an electrical connector not being part of the present invention.
  • the connector pin 104 is to be mounted in an insert 6 of a connector 1 housing in the type of electrical connector shown in the designs described above and shown in Figures 1-8 .
  • the insulating sleeve 22 has a metal coating 105 deposited on its surface along a length of the pin in the region where the pin extends forwardly from the insert 6 when mounted in an electrical connector 1.
  • the metal coating 105 has a base layer of copper 10 ⁇ m thick and a top layer of nickel also 10 ⁇ m thick.
  • the metal coating 105 is deposited on the surface of the insulating sleeve 22, which is form of Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), by first acid etching the surface of the PEEK in a masked off region of the part to provide a key. An activator is then applied to the surface of the PEEK to enable the deposition. The base layer and the top layer are then sequentially deposited by a suitable deposition technique, such as electroplating.
  • PEEK Polyetheretherketone
  • the metal coating 105 suppresses the ingress of water to the pin 4 and reduces localised condensing of equipotential electric field lines in the region radially outwardly and behind the front of the metal coating 105.
  • the metal coating 105 By arranging the metal coating 105 to extend along the pin 4 such that, when the connector parts are fully mated the metal coating 105 reaches to the position where it screens any seals in the second connector part from concentration of electrical field lines, electrical field stress can be reduced and the lifetime of the connector can be extended, without requiring a complicated molding or machining of the pins to include a screening electrode.

Landscapes

  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)

Claims (11)

  1. Verbinder zur Verwendung unter Wasser oder in einer nassen oder extremen Umgebung, der einen ersten und einen zweiten Verbinderteil umfasst, die so ausgelegt sind, dass sie sich zusammenfügen lassen und eine elektrische Verbindung herstellen, wobei der erste Verbinderteil (1) mindestens einen Stift (4) und der zweite Verbinderteil mindestens einen elektrischen Kontakt aufweist, in den der Stift eingreift, wenn die Verbinderteile zusammengefügt sind, wobei der Stift (4) einen axial verlaufenden, elektrisch leitenden Abschnitt (20) und eine um den leitenden Abschnitt herum axial verlaufende, elektrisch isolierende Hülse (22) umfasst, wobei der erste Verbinderteil (1) eine Halterung (6) umfasst und der Stift (4) von der Halterung (6) gehalten wird und von dieser axial nach vorn vorsteht, wodurch seine Isolierhülse (22) an einem längs verlaufenden Abschnitt davon Umweltbedingungen ausgesetzt ist, wenn die Verbinderteile voneinander getrennt sind,
    und der erste Verbinderteil (1) ein Schutzelement (24) aufweist, das so angeordnet ist, dass es einen vor der Halterung liegenden und daran angrenzenden Abschnitt (25) der Isolierhülse (22) zumindest dann schützt, wenn die Verbinderteile voneinander getrennt sind, wobei das geschützte Element der Isolierhülse (22) durch ein elastisches Dichtungsmittel (26) geschützt ist, das den Stift (4) in Eingriff nimmt und verhindert, dass der geschützte Abschnitt (25) Umweltbedingungen ausgesetzt ist, und wobei ein isolierendes Medium (30) hinter dem elastischen Dichtungsmittel (26) angeordnet ist,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
    es sich bei dem isolierenden Medium (30) um ein nachgiebiges Material oder ein Isolierfluid handelt,
    dass das Isolierfluid den geschützten Abschnitt (25) des Stifts (4) isoliert und das Schutzelement (24) in Form des elastischen Dichtungsmittels (26) und des isolierenden Mediums (30) so angeordnet ist, dass der geschützte Abschnitt (25) nicht den Umweltbedingungen ausgesetzt ist.
  2. Verbinder nach Anspruch 1, bei dem es sich bei dem isolierenden Medium (30) um ein Isolierfluid und bei dem Isolierfluid um ein Öl handelt.
  3. Verbinder nach Anspruch 1, bei dem es sich bei dem isolierenden Medium (30) um ein nachgiebiges Material und bei dem nachgiebigen Material um ein Elastomer- oder Polymermaterial handelt.
  4. Verbinder nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei dem das elastische Dichtungsmittel (26) eine Elastomermembran umfasst.
  5. Verbinder nach Anspruch 4, bei dem die Elastomermembran von dem Stift (4) aus radial nach außen und axial nach hinten zur Halterung (6) verläuft.
  6. Verbinder nach Anspruch 5, bei dem ein Kompressionsring, der von einem Halterungsklemmring festgehalten wird, so an der Elastomermembran und der Halterung (6) anliegt, dass die Elastomermembran dichtend mit der Halterung (6) in Eingriff steht.
  7. Verbinder nach Anspruch 5, bei dem die Elastomermembran dadurch festgehalten wird, dass sie an ihrem radial außen liegenden Rand so zwischen eine hintere Fläche eines Halterungsklemmrings und eine vordere Fläche der Halterung (6) geklemmt ist, dass die Elastomermembran dichtend mit der Halterung (6) in Eingriff steht.
  8. Verbinder nach Anspruch 5, bei dem eine radial innen liegende Fläche eines Halterungsklemmrings direkt so an der Elastomermembran und der Halterung (6) anliegt, dass die Elastomermembran dichtend mit der Halterung (6) in Eingriff steht.
  9. Verbinder nach Anspruch 6, bei dem die Elastomermembran die Außenfläche der Isolierhülse (22) über die gesamte Länge des geschützten Abschnitts in Eingriff nimmt.
  10. Verbinder nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei dem der Stift (4) dort einen größerem Durchmesser aufweist, wo er von der Halterung (6) getragen wird, und einen Abschnitt mit geringerem Durchmesser, der von der Halterung (6) aus nach vorn verläuft.
  11. Verbinder nach Anspruch 10, bei dem der geschützte Abschnitt (25) der Isolierhülse (22) einen an die Halterung (6) angrenzenden konisch geformten Teilabschnitt und einen von dem konischen Teilabschnitt aus nach vorn verlaufenden axial zylinderförmigen Teilabschnitt umfasst.
EP12170340.9A 2007-04-30 2008-04-30 Steckverbinder Active EP2498344B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0708362A GB0708362D0 (en) 2007-04-30 2007-04-30 Connector
EP08251586.7A EP1988607B1 (de) 2007-04-30 2008-04-30 Verbinder

Related Parent Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08251586.7A Division EP1988607B1 (de) 2007-04-30 2008-04-30 Verbinder
EP08251586.7A Division-Into EP1988607B1 (de) 2007-04-30 2008-04-30 Verbinder

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2498344A1 EP2498344A1 (de) 2012-09-12
EP2498344B1 true EP2498344B1 (de) 2016-03-02

Family

ID=38170953

Family Applications (4)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP12170346.6A Active EP2498345B1 (de) 2007-04-30 2008-04-30 Steckverbinder
EP12170320.1A Active EP2498343B1 (de) 2007-04-30 2008-04-30 Steckverbinder
EP08251586.7A Active EP1988607B1 (de) 2007-04-30 2008-04-30 Verbinder
EP12170340.9A Active EP2498344B1 (de) 2007-04-30 2008-04-30 Steckverbinder

Family Applications Before (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP12170346.6A Active EP2498345B1 (de) 2007-04-30 2008-04-30 Steckverbinder
EP12170320.1A Active EP2498343B1 (de) 2007-04-30 2008-04-30 Steckverbinder
EP08251586.7A Active EP1988607B1 (de) 2007-04-30 2008-04-30 Verbinder

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (4) EP2498345B1 (de)
GB (5) GB0708362D0 (de)
NO (1) NO1988607T3 (de)

Families Citing this family (6)

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US8968018B2 (en) 2009-08-05 2015-03-03 Teledyne Instruments, Inc. Electrical penetrator assembly
BR112012002580A2 (pt) 2009-08-05 2020-03-10 Teledyne Instruments, Inc. Unidade de penetrador elétrico e montagem de penetrador elétrico
EP3170228B1 (de) 2014-07-16 2019-05-01 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Elektrische unterwasserverbinderkomponente und verfahren zur herstellung davon
EP3776753A1 (de) 2018-04-06 2021-02-17 Fischer Connectors Holding S.A. Mehrpoliger steckverbinder
EP3756248A1 (de) 2018-04-06 2020-12-30 Fischer Connectors Holding S.A. Mehrpoliger steckverbinder

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2489130A (en) 2012-09-19
EP2498344A1 (de) 2012-09-12
GB0807901D0 (en) 2008-06-04
EP1988607A2 (de) 2008-11-05
GB0708362D0 (en) 2007-06-06
EP2498343B1 (de) 2016-03-02
GB201209826D0 (en) 2012-07-18
NO1988607T3 (de) 2018-06-23
GB2448985B (en) 2012-12-05
EP2498345B1 (de) 2016-03-02
EP1988607A3 (de) 2009-11-04
GB2448985A (en) 2008-11-05
GB2489128A (en) 2012-09-19
EP1988607B1 (de) 2018-01-24
EP2498343A1 (de) 2012-09-12
GB201209828D0 (en) 2012-07-18
GB2489129A (en) 2012-09-19
EP2498345A1 (de) 2012-09-12
GB201209834D0 (en) 2012-07-18

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