Underwater connector including integral bladder and seal with a set of constricting means
US4606603A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 7, 1983 |
| Grant date | Aug 19, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 7, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3867
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A plug and socket type connector for making underwater electrical and/or fiber optical connections. The female part of the connector contains one or more sockets enclosed in a dielectric fluid filled bladder having a penetrable seal. The optical index of refraction of the fluid is controlled. The male part of the connector has an extended probe of round cross-section which penetrates the seal to mate with the sockets and complete the electrical and/or fiber optic connections. The penetrable seal is specially designed to accommodate repeated insertion and withdrawal of the probe without loss of fluid compound or water leakage. The seal includes an elastomeric sleeve integrally molded to one end of the bladder. The sleeve extends axially through a flat slit in a surrounding elastomeric grommet. A tensioned elastomeric constricting ring surrounds the grommet and squeezes the sleeve into a flattened closed condition upon withdrawal of the probe.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.