Automation Industries, Inc.

Tri-Star Incorporated

Robert Baur

Ralph T Iversen

Haw-Chan Tan

Roger C Stephenson

Neal Castleman

The invention facilitates individual selection and even field replacement of individual component-carrying contacts in a multicontact electrical connector. On a modular circuit-by-circuit basis, each circuit can be individually guarded against overvoltages, undesired frequencies, etc.; and in event of damage to a protection component, the protection can be easily renewed for any individual circuit in just a few minutes. An overvoltage-bypassing diode or other electrical component is positioned within a central cavity that extends axially within the body of a cylindrical contact--i.e., either a male pin or female receptacle. The component is oriented axially in the cavity. Because the bypassing component is physically protected within the cavity, it is much less vulnerable to physical and electrical damage in installation and service than in prior component-carrying contacts. One lead of the component connects electrically to the contact itself internally; another lead passes through an aperture in the contact and connects electrically with a grounding surface that is part of the outside of the contact. An electrical signal path is formed along the contact body, continuing in an interconnection structure.

Electrical connector contact having an electrical component disposed in

To prevent possible misalignment of the various parts of a plug and receptacle connector, if the coupling ring is inadvertently rotated before the receptacle is in full position, there is provided an interlock sleeve. This sleeve is spring-loaded and positioned between the coupling ring and the plug outer surface. Internal and external keys incorporated within the sleeve prevent inadvertent rotation of the coupling ring until the receptacle has made entry into the plug sufficiently to key both the coupling ring and plug shell.

Heavy-duty electrical connector

To insure proper alignment of a plug and receptacle connector so that only a correct plug and receptacle are being mated, a set of similarly coded keyways and keys on the connector parts require respective alignment before mating is possible. More particularly, the coupling ring and enclosed plug shell both have a set of keyways (optionally, keys) which must be respectively aligned before the receptacle can be received within the plug shell. A spring biased pawl within a slotted cavity in the coupling ring has parts which upon correct orientation of the ring and plug extend into a recess in the plug shell effectively locking the two together and preventing inadvertent rotation of the coupling ring with respect to the plug shell when the connector parts are unmated. In this way the keyways on the inner surfaces of the coupling ring and plug shell are maintained in properly aligned relation so that they may receive the receptacle. On initial mating of a receptacle within a coupling ring, the receptacle cams the pawl outwardly of the opening in the plug shell thereby now permitting rotation of the coupling ring with respect of the plug shell to complete connector engagement.

Plug and receptacle connector locking means

The invention is directed to a protective cover for the open face of the receptacle section of a multi contact electrical connector when the receptacle section and the plug section are not mated. The protective cover comprises a barrel and a cover plate closing one end of the barrel. Inside the barrel there is positioned a spring means so located that a disc placed over the spring means can be controllably moved longitudinally in said barrel to contact the end of said receptacle open face. At the outer end of said barrel are indexing means for polarized alignment with indexing means on said receptacle and locking means, for locked retainment of said cover to said receptacle socket.

Protective cover for electrical connector receptacle open end, providing

The invention is directed to an electrical connector with multi-pin/socket contacts suitable for use in locations where the receptacle assembly is attached to a support, such as the underside of an aircraft wing, and the plug assembly is mounted on a separate detachable structure, such as a pylon. The plug assembly engages the receptacle through collet fingertips. A separate, but not independent, capsule assembly is mated with the receptacle socket contacts by vertical movement imparted by a cam assembly. The mated/engaged connector is locked in that relation by balls juxtaposed between a capsule assembly channel and a plug housing sleeve. The plug housing is suitably floated on spring loaded mounts attached to the pylon skin. The connector is unmated, unlocked and disengaged when movement of the pylon skin depresses trip ears on the plug housing; the ears depress the outer locking sleeve to release the ball-lock and to permit spring action to unmate the receptacle/plug contacts; spring action then further depresses the outer locking shell so that the fingertips release the receptacle and the plug assembly is free and ready for another engagement/mating. A retractable button signals a no mate relation except when the connector is fully mated and locked.

Aircraft/pylon multi-contact electrical connector

Connector for tow cable which carries tow tension and electrical circuits permits release of both the tension and the circuits. Electrical connectors in high current circuits are arranged so that the male connector is pulled out of the female electric socket, and the arc between them is elongated, but the arc chamber is closed until the arc is extinguished.

Growing community of inventors

Los Angeles, CA, United States of America

Robert Baur