G&h Technology, Inc.

Larry L McCormick

Leslie Kerek

Hugh M Hyatt

Thomas A Clark

Roger C Stephenson

Dale T Chaput

Slawomir J Bielinski

Tom Hughes

Ben F Selk

A plug (12) and receptacle (14) connector has its unmating force determined in part by a generally circular helical spring (20) received in a slot (22) on one of the connector parts which resiliently resists separation by engaging a ridge (18) on the other connector part. A pressure ring (26) also exerts a selectively adjustable separation force on the connector parts serving to fine tune the summation actual separation force to a precise predetermined value.

Close tolerance quick disconnect electrical connector

A positive release bracket (16) for an object such as an electrical connector part (12) includes first and second semicylindrical shells (18,20) which are releasably held together by plates (36,38). On a separation force applied to the connector exceeding some predetermined maximum, one or both plates (36,38) are withdrawn from engagement with the shells (18,20).

Secondary release apparatus

A link wire (20) arrangement for use in a non-explosive initiator (10) includes a link wire (20) received within a pair of tubes (24,26), each tube having its outer end formed into a loop (28) and its opposite end crimped (30) to physically and electrically secure the tubes to the included link wire (20). The tubes (24,26) are encapsulated within an insulating body (16).

Non-explosive initiator with link wire assembly

The initiator (32) has a hollow spool housing (34) with sidewall slots (42,44) and within which is received a shaft (54) to be releasably retained. Spool segments (46,48) are placed within slots (42,44) and have parts extending into the housing bore (50) obstructingly engaging the shaft (54) preventing its removal. A spring coil (82) wound over the spool segments (46,48) holds them in place. Cartridge assembly (62) is releasably secured to the housing (34) and includes a link wire (72) for securing one end of the coil (82). The link wire (72) is destructible by passing an electric current therethrough exceeding a certain value.

Reusable initiator for use in triggering high-load actuators

An electrical initiator (10) includes spool halves (12,14) releasably held together by a coiled retaining wire (42). A link wire (42) also holds a spool (46) fixed to spool half (12) against connector body 16 and the other spool half (16). A cavity on the interior of the two spools physically retain a tensilely loaded shaft (18). An electric current passing through the link wire (42) causes it to become brittle and break releasing the spool halves and contained shaft (18).

Motion initiator

An electrical connector (10) has first and second separable contacting electrodes (12, 14) which do not generate an arc on making or breaking. A member (44) interrelates one of the electrodes (14) via a spring-loaded drive cap (24) at ground potential, which member 44 is constructed of a material a wide range of electrical resistance (e.g., insulator to substantial short) inversely response to the magnitude of electric field across the member. On electrode preparation, the drive cap (24) establishes a relative movement of the member (44) with respect to the electrode (14) reducing the member material thickness to such a point that the electric field across the intervening member material reduces the electrical resistance to a desired low level (e.g., short to ground).

Separable electrodes with electric arc quenching means

First and second tube sections (12, 14) are dimensioned so as to enable telescoping receipt of an end portion of one within the other. A pair of parallel slots (36) in the end portion of the second tube section (14) is slidingly received onto a break pin (28) transversely secured within the first tube section (12). A further break pin (38) is transversely secured within the end portion of the second tube section (14). An optical fiber cable (17) passes through the tube sections and between the break pins (28,38) such that on the tube sections being axially separated, the fiber cable conforms about the break pins in relatively small radii severing the fiber cable.

Method and apparatus for severing an optical fiber

The invention is directed to a connector for two flat electrical cables having the same plurality of conduits. The electricity passes from one conduit to the corresponding conduit by way of a dielectric insert having holes therethrough, with electrically conductive means having at least a portion of a hemispherical surface protruding on each side of the dielectric insert. Preferably pressure is applied to the cable/insert/cable sandwich quasi-hydrostatically through a low durometer elastomeric materic material. For EMI/EMP shielding, the low durometer elastomeric material is electrically conductive and encloses completely the connection.

Connector for flat electrical cables

One connector part has an outer locking shell spring-loaded to move axially and with an interior circumferential cavity which can be aligned with locking fingers when the locking shell is subjected to a predetermined amount of separating force enabling the locking fingers to be released. The other connector part is spring-loaded to hold further locking fingers in contacting relation to an outer surface of the connector shell. When an axial force applied to mated connector parts exceeds the first predetermined releasing force and connector release has not been achieved then the spring-loaded other connector part allows its fingers to extend beyond the innermost end of that connector part releasing the fingers from locking engagement and, therefore, releasing the connector parts.

Redundant electrical connector release

An electrical contact for use in a releasable connector part having a closed-end metal shell with resilient springlike sidewalls, the shell closed-end contactingly covering an opening in a shield plate when the connector is unmated. When mated, a corresponding contact in the other connector part passes through the shield plate opening moving the metal shell closed-end away from the shield plate and into current conducting relation with a shaft connected with a cable wire. In an alternate version, the metal shell closed-end moves into connective relation with an end wall of a further metal shell interconnected with the cable wire.

Butt contact for an electrical connector having EMI shielding

An electrical connector is disclosed herein which employs a breech lock whereby the two sections of the connector may be readily mated or unmated by a simple rotation of the breech lock through a fraction of a turn. In addition, means are also provided for retracting the electrical contacts into a protected position until the two sections are fully mated.

Electrical connector

An electrical connector having a breech lock is provided with a snap action or over-center spring such as a Belleville Washer. This is effective to positively bias all of the working parts of the connector into the fully mated or unmated positions. It is also effective to maintain the connector and the electrical contacts therein mated even though it may be subjected to large forces resulting from acceleration, vibration, etc., and to maintain all of the interfaces sealed even though the sealing materials may shrink, etc., from aging, etc.

Growing community of inventors

Camarillo, CA, United States of America

Larry L McCormick