Abstract: Seal assemblies for sealing around a moveable shaft, such as rotary or reciprocating, or static, are described. The seal assemblies prevent the passage of lubricant or fluid from a relatively high pressure area on a first side of the seal to a relatively low pressure area on a second side of the seal. In some embodiments, these seals are energized by energizers, such as circular springs or canted springs, to keep the seal in contact with the moveable shaft. The seals have primary and secondary seals. The secondary seal provides initial moderate sealing against abrasive particles or contaminants to reduce the exposure and wear of the primary seal.

Abstract: An electrical contact assembly made from a stamped housing, having a first end with a spring groove housing formed over a canted coil spring in order to provide spring retention to a pin or post inserted into the housing. On the other end of the stamped housing, a wire/cable crimp assembly is formed. The spring, groove housing may be formed having an opening for insertion of the pin or post that is either substantially parallel or perpendicular to the base of the housing.

Abstract: Connector assemblies for use with implantable medical devices having easy to assemble contacts are disclosed. The connector assemblies are generally formed by coupling a plurality of ring contacts, sealing rings, and spring contact elements together with at least one holding ring to form a connector having a common bore for receiving a medical lead cable. Contact grooves or spring chambers for positioning the spring contact elements are formed in part by assembling multiple components together. A further aspect is a provision for encasing each connector assembly or stack inside a thermoset layer or a thermoplastic layer before over-molding the same to a sealed housing.

Abstract: Dual directional latch devices or connectors are described wherein a first connector component and a second connector component have a first latched position and a second latched position when moving in a first direction and wherein movement in a second direction is also possible depending on a stop feature. As described, a combination key and key way, a movable sleeve, a stop flange, and a threaded sleeve may be provided to stop movement in the second direction. The dual direction latch devices may be used with articles of manufacture such as with implantable medical devices, door panels, airplane panels, and drilling devices, to name a few.

Abstract: Dual directional latch devices or connectors are described wherein a first connector component and a second connector component have a first latched position and a second latched position when moving in a first direction and wherein movement in a second direction is also possible when a restriction feature is overcome. As described, opposing magnetic forces, pneumatic pressure, spring force, and a crushable force may be incorporated so that further movement in the second direction must overcome the restriction feature. The dual direction latch devices may be used with articles of manufacture such as with implantable medical devices, door panels, airplane panels, and drilling devices to name a few.

Abstract: Connector assemblies for use with implantable medical devices having easy to assemble contacts are disclosed. The connector assemblies are generally formed by coupling a plurality of ring contacts, sealing rings, and spring contact elements together with at least one holding ring to form a connector having a common bore fore receiving a medical lead cable. Contact grooves or spring chambers for positioning the spring contact elements are formed in part by assembling multiple components together.

Abstract: A connector includes a housing having a bore with a housing groove disposed on an inside surface of the bore with a groove establishing a release angle between a housing groove bottom and a bore inside surface. A retainer defines a spring cavity between a retainer and the release angle and a circular radial canted coil spring is disposed in the spring cavity. A pin having a tapered end and a body diameter sized for sliding engagement with the bore is provided which includes a circumferential groove in the pin body for receiving the coil spring upon insertion of the pin into the bore. A circumferential groove includes a load angle for rotating the coil spring in an orientation in which the major spring axis is parallel to the release angle upon initial withdrawal of the pin from the bore. The coil is further compressed along the spring minor axis and expands radially upon continued withdrawal of the pin from the bore.

Abstract: A connector includes a canted coil spring, a multi-piece housing, and an insert element. The multi-piece housing includes a first housing part defining a bore of the housing, and a second housing part connected to the first housing part and comprising a tapered wall defined by a first section of the second housing part with a first inner diameter and a second section of the second housing part with a second inner diameter greater than the first inner diameter. A groove is formed in the bore by the connection of the first housing part with the second housing part, the groove having at least a portion of the canted coil spring disposed therein and having a tapered side wall formed at least partly by the tapered wall of the second housing part. The insert element is insertable into the bore to engage the canted coil spring for connection with the housing.

Abstract: Device, system, and method are described directed to seal assemblies with support to reduce seal extrusion under high to very high pressure changes due to repeated piston reciprocating movement. In some examples, concave features are incorporated on the inner and outer edges of support and backup ring elements to support and hug the preceding element and constrain extrusion, as well as utilizing multiple contact points on certain elements in order to reduce friction against the dynamic surface. The seal assemblies described herein can also incorporate bearing surfaces to reduce damage to seal ID due to off-axis floating rod, such as incorporating one or more multi-point contacts to reduce friction.

Abstract: A connector includes a housing having a bore with a housing groove disposed on an inside surface of the bore with a groove establishing a release angle between a housing groove bottom and a bore inside surface. A retainer defines a spring cavity between a retainer and the release angle and a circular radial canted coil spring is disposed in the spring cavity. A pin having a tapered end and a body diameter sized for sliding engagement with the bore is provided which includes a circumferential groove in the pin body for receiving the coil spring upon insertion of the pin into the bore. A circumferential groove includes a load angle for rotating the coil spring in an orientation in which the major spring axis is parallel to the release angle upon initial withdrawal of the pin from the bore. The coil is further compressed along the spring minor axis and expands radially upon continued withdrawal of the pin from the bore.

Abstract: A connector includes a housing having a bore with a housing groove disposed on an inside surface of the bore with a groove establishing a release angle between a housing groove bottom and a bore inside surface. A retainer defines a spring cavity between a retainer and the release angle and a circular radial canted coil spring is disposed in the spring cavity. A pin having a tapered end and a body diameter sized for sliding engagement with the bore is provided which includes a circumferential groove in the pin body for receiving the coil spring upon insertion of the pin into the bore. A circumferential groove includes a load angle for rotating the coil spring in an orientation in which the major spring axis is parallel to the release angle upon initial withdrawal of the pin from the bore. The coil is further compressed along the spring minor axis and expands radially upon continued withdrawal of the pin from the bore.

Abstract: The present device, system, and method pertain to locking and/or latching mechanisms that utilize canted coil springs and specific groove geometries in connecting parts to achieve locking and/or latching. In specific locking and/or latching embodiments, built in release features are provided to enable unlatching even after being locked, such as by moving in the opposite direction as when moving the connector to lock. Unlatching can implemented by rotating the spring to permit moving in the opposite direction.

Abstract: Fastening devices are disclosed herein with variations on how said devices resist loosening or un-fastening from a structure or structures. In some examples, the fastening devices accomplish the removal resistant condition by using a spring component engaging ridged surfaces. The spring component generally consists of a spring ring conveniently coiled to a canting position. One exemplary design is characterized by incorporating a screw element with its head underside surface being ridged and a lock element with a ridged topside surface and engaging the two ridges surfaces. Another exemplary design is characterized by a screw element having a head outer sidewall being ridged for cooperating with a bore having a ridged inner sidewall. The bore can be part of a first body or structure or a lock element.

Abstract: A canted coil spring includes a first section having a plurality of first canted coils generally canted at an acute first angle relative to a first direction of a centerline extending through the first canted coils, and at least a second section coupled to the first section and having a plurality of second canted coils generally canted at an acute second angle relative to a second direction of the centerline extending through the second canted coils. The second direction is opposite to the first direction when the centerline is in a linear configuration. A method of manufacturing the canted coil includes fabricating a first wire section in a canted helical configuration thereby forming the plurality of first coils, and fabricating at least a second wire section in a canted helical configuration thereby forming the plurality of second coils. The first wire section is coupled to the second wire section.

Abstract: A header assembly and method to incorporate electrical contacts and seals into a header are described. The header and method include properly positioning a stack of electrical contact housings and seals or seal assemblies in the header and maintaining the electrical contact housings and the seals in the header with pins inserted in the header from outside the header through axially arranged holes in the header to interface corresponding grooves of the electrical contact housings.

Abstract: Connector assemblies for use with implantable medical devices having easy to assemble contacts are disclosed. The connector assemblies are generally formed by coupling a plurality of ring contacts, sealing rings, and spring contact elements together with at least one holding ring to form a connector having a common bore for receiving a medical lead cable. Contact grooves or spring chambers for positioning the spring contact elements are formed in part by assembling multiple components together. A further aspect is a provision for encasing each connector assembly or stack inside a thermoset layer or a thermoplastic layer before over-molding the same to a sealed housing.

Abstract: Seal assemblies and methods for forming them are described. Aspects of the seal assemblies include a seal ring made of a relative soft material supported by a specially configured backing ring made of a much higher modulus material, such as ferrous and non-ferrous metal or engineered plastic. The seal assemblies may optionally include a retaining ring to prevent slippage relative to the environment or housing in which they are placed and to prevent shuttling. The seal assemblies may also optionally include an energizer to alter the force generating by a sealing lip on the seal ring.

Abstract: A canted coil spring includes a plurality of canted coils generally canted relative to a centerline extending through the coils. At least one coil when viewed in the direction of the centerline appears to have a non-elliptical shape and a non-circular shape when the at least one coil is in the unbiased state. The plurality of coils is generally canted at a first coil angle relative to the center line. The at least one coil includes at least one section canted at a second coil angle relative to the centerline. The second coil angle is different from the first coil angle when the at least one coil is in an unbiased state.

Abstract: A locking tool or device that permits rapid installation and removal of a removable component from a component that is fixed to a housing or equipment. The interchangeable, and hence removable, components may be held in place by individual holders that provide secure axial locking means and quick radial removal means requiring no axial space for the removal of such components from the main base tool.

Abstract: A contact assembly is disclosed herein with a spring contact located in a housing wherein a plurality of coils of the spring contact are interconnected with one another and all slanted or canted. The coils further have outside diameters of different outside dimensions, such as one section of the spring contact having a larger outside diameter than the other section or sections of the spring contact. When inside the interior cavity of the housing, the first end and the second end are spaced from one another and wherein some of the plurality of coils do not contact the housing. A pin, rod, or shaft is locatable in a passage of the spring contact of the contact assembly but less than all of the coils of the spring contact grip against the exterior surface of the pin, rod or shaft.