Teledyne Instruments, Inc.

John Brian O'Rourke

Richard Ranalli

The invention provides a submersible or harsh environment connector for use with electrical, optical or electro-optical cables having first and second connector units which are releasably mateable and that are not pressure compensated. The invention provides a wet-mate without pressure balancing system for making a subsea wet-mate connection. The invention uses a reservoir of fluid and a mechanism energized by mating, such as by a spring, to push that fluid into a small mated connection, discharging an equivalent volume of seawater and creating electrical and/or optical continuity. One-way or back-flow prevent valves ensure there is no return flow of seawater. Typical fluids would be dielectric oil or optical gel.

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Lawrence, MA, United States of America

John Brian O'Rourke