Hughes Aircraft Company

Roman A Halushka

George A McGowan

Cornelius A Van Gelder

Walter H Brackmann, Jr

Communication of fill fluid in a module hose with an interconnector junction between connectors is established when the two modules are coupled together. A fluid path 80 incorporating a normally closed valve (86, 88) extends between the mating face (94) of at least one connector (78) and its hose while the mating face of the other connector or coupling (68) incorporates a valve opening member (108) which opens the normally closed valve when the two connectors are joined so that fluid from one of the hoses flows to equalize the underwater pressure exerted on the joint between the connectors.

Pressure compensated intermodule towed array connector

Apparatus is provided comprising non-magnetic male and female coupling sections having reciprocally mating interrupted screw portions. The male section has a permanent magnet disposed in a first cylindrical chamber in the mating end thereof. The female section has a movable magnetic plunger captively disposed in a second cylindrical chamber in the mating end thereof which is free to enter the first chamber when the male and female sections are properly aligned and the interrupted screw portions are locked. Magnetic attraction holds the plunger in the first chamber. The male and female sections are thus precluded from further rotation relative to one another. A strong external magnet is used to withdraw the plunger from the first chamber thus allowing rotation and demating of the male and female sections.

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Santa Monica, CA, United States of America

Roman A Halushka