GB1562685A

GB1562685A - Electrical connector

Info

Publication number: GB1562685A
Application number: GB3498575A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: BP PLC
Current assignee: BP PLC
Priority date: 1976-08-20
Filing date: 1976-08-20
Publication date: 1980-03-12

Description

(54) ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR (71) We, THE BRITISH PET ROLEUM COMPANY LIMITED, of Britannic House, Moor Lane, London, EC2Y 9BU, a British Company, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to an electrical connector suitable for use underwater.

According to the present invention an electrical connector suitable for use under water comprises a first part and a second part, the first part comprising a body having a recess which in use is to receive the second part, the recess having one or more electrical contacts therein to be engaged by the contacts of the second part and a reservoir for a liquid, the reservoir having a first opening located in an axial direction further from the base of the recess than the contacts and in communication with the recess and a second opening spaced apart from the first in communication with the exterior, the second part having contacts for engaging the contacts of the first part and a body for insertion into the recess, the arrangement being such that when the recess contains an electrically non conducting water immiscible liquid (referred to herein as the liquid) in an amount sufficient to cover the contact, and the second part is inserted into the recess at an underwater location, the liquid is displaced from the recess into the reservoir and water within the reservoir is expelled to the exterior, and when the second part is withdrawn from the recess the liquid flows from the reservoir to keep the contacts of the first part covered and thereby prevents water from reaching said contacts, water being drawn into the reservoir from the exterior.

Preferably the recess is defined by a first wall extending from the body of the first part.

Preferably the reservoir is defined by a space between the first wall and a second radially outer wall which second wall also extends from the body of the first part.

Conveniently the reservoir is symmetrically disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the recess and is of an annular form, although an asymmetrical arrangement, e.g.

with the reservoir disposed on one side of the recess can be employed.

Preferably the first wall is flared slightly near its extremity to provide an inclined surface which in use is engaged by a corresponding surface on the second part.

Preferably the first opening and the second opening are located in the first wall.

More preferably the second oopening is located at the inclined surface of the first wall.

Conveniently the contacts of the first part are female contacts, e.g. of the sleeve type which in use will be engaged by pins on the second part, although the arrangement can be reversed. As an alternative button type contacts can be employed on both the first and second parts.

Conveniently the body of the first part is moulded in a natural or synthetic rubber or plastics material.

When the contacts of the first part are in the form of sleeves they can project a small distance from the base of the recess.

The first part is preferably used with the contacts facing downwardly and employing as the liquid one of density less than water.

Alternatively the first part can be used with the contacts facing upwardly and employing as the liquid, e.g. silicone oil of density greater than water.

Preferably the recess and the body of the second part are symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis, more preferably of substantially cylindrical form.

Preferably the body of the second part is a loose fit in the recess, e.g. up to i̇nch, preferably about ĭnch clearance and has a raised portion, e.g. a moulded ring to provide a close sliding fit with the walls of the recess. Conveniently the raised portion is located below the top of the body of the second part and in an axial direction nearer the mouth of the recess than the first opening in the fully engaged position.

Preferably the body of the second part has an inclined surface adapted to engage a corresponding inclined surface on the first part to provide a seal to the second opening of the first part.

Preferably the first and second parts have means for aligning to facilitate correct engagement of the contacts. The means can be an external reference point, e.g. lug, line or mark, or an internal key means.

The invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specifications which show the first and second parts in a disengaged position. Figure I is a cross sectional view of the first part of the broken lines of which show the second part in the engaged position. Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the second part to be used with the first part.

The first part indicated generally by reference numeral 2 has a cylindrical recess 3 having female contacts 14 to 16 therein and a reservoir 4 for a liquid, the reservoir 4 having openings 5 and 6 to provide liquid communication between the reservoir and recess 3 and openings 8 and 9 for liquid communication with the exterior. The openings 5 and 6 are disposed sufficiently remote in an axial direction from the contacts 14 and 16 to prevent traces of water reaching the contacts. The reservoir 4 is provided by a space between first and second walls 10 and 12 respectively each of which extends from the body 13 of the first part. The first wall 10 is flared slightly near its extremity to provide an inclined surface 11. The female electrical contacts are in the form of brass sleeves 14 and 16 drilled out of solid brass rods 15 and 17. A conductor 37 is connected to the brass rods 15 and 17 and has an insulation 35 and protection sheath 36. The contacts 14 and 16 project a short way clear of the base 18 of the recess 3. The body 13 of the first part and walls 10 and 12 can be moulded from a natural or synthetic rubber plastics material.

The second part 20 has pins 22 and 24.

The body of the second part which is substantially cylindrical is moulded in rubber of a plastics material. The body of the second part 20 is about \/winch in diameter less than the diameter of recess 3 so that the body of the second part is a loose fit in the recess and has a raised moulded ring 30 to provide a close sliding fit with the inside of the inner wall 10 of the recess 3. The moulded ring 30 is at a position such that when the first and second parts are fully engaged, the ring 30 is a small distance below the openings 5 and 6. The second part also has an inclined surface 32 which engages the inclined surface 11 of the first part in the fully engaged position and thus seals openings 8 and 9.

In use the first part is held underwater with the contacts 14 and 16 facing downwards, a lighter than water and water immiscible mineral oil is floated up into the recess 3 to cover the contacts 14 and 16 and fill it to the level 26. The second part 20 is then inserted, the pins 22 and 24 fitted into the contacts 14 and 16. Oil is displaced from the recess 3 into the reservoir 4 to the exterior through openings 8 and 9 and when the first and second parts are fully engaged the oil level is at 28.

On withdrawal of the second part the flow is reversed: oil flowing into the recess 3 from the reservoir 4 through the openings 5 and 6 and water into the reservoir 4 from the exterior through openings 8 and 9.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An electrical connector suitable for use under water comprising a first part and a second part, the first part comprising a body having a recess which in use is to receive the second part, the recess having one or more electrical contacts therein to be engaged by the contacts of the second part and a reservoir for a liquid, the reservoir having a first opening located in an axial direction further from the base of the recess than the contacts and in communication with the recess and a second opening spaced apart from the first in communication with the exterior. the second part having contacts for engaging the contacts of the first part and a body for insertion into the recess, the arrangement being such that when the recess contains an electrially non conducting water immiscible liquid (referred to herein as the liquid) in an amount sufficient to cover the contacts, and the second part is inserted into the recess at an underwater location, the liquid is displaced from the recess into the reservoir and water within the reservoir is expelled to the exterior, and when the second part is withdrawn from the recess the liquid flows from the reservoir to keep the contacts of the first part covered and thereby prevents water from reaching said contacts, water being drawn into the reservoir from the exterior.

2. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the recess is defined by a first wall extending from the body of the first part.

3. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 2 claims wherein the reservoir is defined by a space between the first wall and

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. loose fit in the recess, e.g. up to i̇nch, preferably about ĭnch clearance and has a raised portion, e.g. a moulded ring to provide a close sliding fit with the walls of the recess. Conveniently the raised portion is located below the top of the body of the second part and in an axial direction nearer the mouth of the recess than the first opening in the fully engaged position. Preferably the body of the second part has an inclined surface adapted to engage a corresponding inclined surface on the first part to provide a seal to the second opening of the first part. Preferably the first and second parts have means for aligning to facilitate correct engagement of the contacts. The means can be an external reference point, e.g. lug, line or mark, or an internal key means. The invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specifications which show the first and second parts in a disengaged position. Figure I is a cross sectional view of the first part of the broken lines of which show the second part in the engaged position. Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the second part to be used with the first part. The first part indicated generally by reference numeral 2 has a cylindrical recess 3 having female contacts 14 to 16 therein and a reservoir 4 for a liquid, the reservoir 4 having openings 5 and 6 to provide liquid communication between the reservoir and recess 3 and openings 8 and 9 for liquid communication with the exterior. The openings 5 and 6 are disposed sufficiently remote in an axial direction from the contacts 14 and 16 to prevent traces of water reaching the contacts. The reservoir 4 is provided by a space between first and second walls 10 and 12 respectively each of which extends from the body 13 of the first part. The first wall 10 is flared slightly near its extremity to provide an inclined surface 11. The female electrical contacts are in the form of brass sleeves 14 and 16 drilled out of solid brass rods 15 and 17. A conductor 37 is connected to the brass rods 15 and 17 and has an insulation 35 and protection sheath 36. The contacts 14 and 16 project a short way clear of the base 18 of the recess 3. The body 13 of the first part and walls 10 and 12 can be moulded from a natural or synthetic rubber plastics material. The second part 20 has pins 22 and 24. The body of the second part which is substantially cylindrical is moulded in rubber of a plastics material. The body of the second part 20 is about \/winch in diameter less than the diameter of recess 3 so that the body of the second part is a loose fit in the recess and has a raised moulded ring 30 to provide a close sliding fit with the inside of the inner wall 10 of the recess 3. The moulded ring 30 is at a position such that when the first and second parts are fully engaged, the ring 30 is a small distance below the openings 5 and 6. The second part also has an inclined surface 32 which engages the inclined surface 11 of the first part in the fully engaged position and thus seals openings 8 and 9. In use the first part is held underwater with the contacts 14 and 16 facing downwards, a lighter than water and water immiscible mineral oil is floated up into the recess 3 to cover the contacts 14 and 16 and fill it to the level 26. The second part 20 is then inserted, the pins 22 and 24 fitted into the contacts 14 and 16. Oil is displaced from the recess 3 into the reservoir 4 to the exterior through openings 8 and 9 and when the first and second parts are fully engaged the oil level is at 28. On withdrawal of the second part the flow is reversed: oil flowing into the recess 3 from the reservoir 4 through the openings 5 and 6 and water into the reservoir 4 from the exterior through openings 8 and 9. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. An electrical connector suitable for use under water comprising a first part and a second part, the first part comprising a body having a recess which in use is to receive the second part, the recess having one or more electrical contacts therein to be engaged by the contacts of the second part and a reservoir for a liquid, the reservoir having a first opening located in an axial direction further from the base of the recess than the contacts and in communication with the recess and a second opening spaced apart from the first in communication with the exterior. the second part having contacts for engaging the contacts of the first part and a body for insertion into the recess, the arrangement being such that when the recess contains an electrially non conducting water immiscible liquid (referred to herein as the liquid) in an amount sufficient to cover the contacts, and the second part is inserted into the recess at an underwater location, the liquid is displaced from the recess into the reservoir and water within the reservoir is expelled to the exterior, and when the second part is withdrawn from the recess the liquid flows from the reservoir to keep the contacts of the first part covered and thereby prevents water from reaching said contacts, water being drawn into the reservoir from the exterior.

a second radially outer wall which second wall also extends from the body of the first part.

4. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first opening and the second opening are located in the first wall.

5. An electrical connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the body of the second part has a raised protion to provide a close sliding fit with the walls of the recess.

6. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 5 wherein the raised portion on the second part is located below the top of the body of the second part is located below the top of the body of the second part and in an axial direction nearer the mouth of the recess than the first opening in the fully engaged position.

7. An electrical connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the first and second parts have means for aligning to facilitate correct engagement of the contacts.

8. An electrical connector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 of the drawings.