Abstract: A magnetic latching connector for making electrical connections between cables, electrical power and signal sources, equipment and the like in a variety of medical and other applications in which it is desired to have the connection maintained with a predetermined amount of magnetic attractive force. The magnetic latching connector generally includes male and female connector components. The male and female connector components comprise male and female couplings and male and female coupling housings. The male and female coupling housings enclose electrical connections between the male and female couplings and electrical cables. Recessed within the male and female couplings are electrically conductive pins and sockets and male and female magnetic latching elements. When the male and female connector components are coupled, the pins and sockets provide electrical connections and the recessed magnetic latching elements provide a predetermined magnetic attraction force to maintain the connections.

Abstract: A self-locking connector provides an electrical connection between sources, equipment, devices, and the like. The self-locking connector generally includes first and second connector components with first and second housings that include corresponding electrically conductive elements, first and second magnetic elements, and first and second lock elements. One housing includes stationary and movable housing components. The connector components are brought into a coupled state with the corresponding electrically conductive elements providing an electrical connection. As the connector components are brought into the coupled state, the movable housing component automatically moves and brings the locking elements into locked engagement. The magnetic elements urge the connector components in the coupled state and the locking elements in locked engagement.

Abstract: A method for inserting preformed solder members into connector pins for use with electrical connectors. The method generally includes a connector pin having an open cavity at one end, into which a preformed solder member can be first inserted and then pressed, rather than melted, in place, such that voids and air spaces within the cavity are substantially eliminated. The method allows for inserting solder members in high quantities, where the preformed solder members are placed in a fixture and the fixture is placed on a shaker table, so that solder members can be inserted into large numbers of connector pins that are pre-installed in connector grommets, largely simultaneously.

Abstract: A self-locking connector provides an electrical connection between sources, equipment, devices, and the like. The self-locking connector generally includes first and second connector components with first and second housings that include corresponding electrically conductive elements, first and second magnetic elements, and first and second lock elements. One housing includes stationary and movable housing components. The connector components are brought into a coupled state with the corresponding electrically conductive elements providing an electrical connection. As the connector components are brought into the coupled state, the movable housing component automatically moves and brings the locking elements into locked engagement. The magnetic elements urge the connector components in the coupled state and the locking elements in locked engagement.

Abstract: A magnetic latching connector for making electrical connections between cables, electrical power and signal sources, equipment and the like in a variety of medical and other applications in which it is desired to have the connection maintained with a predetermined amount of magnetic attractive force. The magnetic latching connector generally includes male and female connector components. The male and female connector components comprise male and female couplings and male and female coupling housings. The male and female coupling housings enclose electrical connections between the male and female couplings and electrical cables. Recessed within the male and female couplings are electrically conductive pins and sockets and male and female magnetic latching elements. When the male and female connector components are coupled, the pins and sockets provide electrical connections and the recessed magnetic latching elements provide a predetermined magnetic attraction force to maintain the connections.

Abstract: A vibrating connector system for providing a haptic feedback to ensure that a connector has a proper connection with its mating component or connector. The vibrating connector system generally includes a first connector that is adapted to electrically connect with a second connector. The first connector may include a male coupler and at least one electrical connector such as an electrically conductive pin. The second connector may include a female coupler and at least one electrical receiver such as an electrically conductive socket. A vibrating element may be connected to the first connector and/or the second connector so as to provide a haptic feedback response upon an electrical connection being completed between the first and second connectors.

Abstract: A robotic wire termination system for efficiently connecting a plurality of wires to an electrical connector. The robotic wire termination system generally includes a frame, a connector support attached to the frame, a robot manipulator having at least one arm, a heating device attached to the at least one arm and a control unit in communication with the robot manipulator to control the operation of the robot manipulator. The arm of the robot manipulator is adapted to move the heating device so that the heating device can apply heat to a selected connector pin of the electrical connector.

Abstract: A locking connector system for releasably locking a first connector in mechanical engagement with a second connector. The locking connector system generally includes a first connector including a female coupler and a second connector including a male coupler, with the first and second connectors being adapted to mechanically connect to each other. The first connector includes an adjustable latch which selectively engages with a catch portion on the male coupler to lock the connectors together. The latch may be pressed downwardly, such as by use of a connected button, to release the latch from the catch portion and disconnect the connectors. The first connector is adapted to provide audible, visual, and tactile feedback to confirm when the latch engages with the catch portion.

Abstract: A vibrating connector system for providing a haptic feedback to ensure that a connector has a proper connection with its mating component or connector. The vibrating connector system generally includes a first connector that is adapted to electrically connect with a second connector. The first connector may include a male coupler and at least one electrical connector such as an electrically conductive pin. The second connector may include a female coupler and at least one electrical receiver such as an electrically conductive socket. A vibrating element may be connected to the first connector and/or the second connector so as to provide a haptic feedback response upon an electrical connection being completed between the first and second connectors.

Abstract: A robotic wire termination system for efficiently connecting a plurality of wires to an electrical connector. The robotic wire termination system generally includes a frame, a connector support attached to the frame, a robot manipulator having at least one arm, a heating device attached to the at least one arm and a control unit in communication with the robot manipulator to control the operation of the robot manipulator. The arm of the robot manipulator is adapted to move the heating device so that the heating device can apply heat to a selected connector pin of the electrical connector.

Abstract: A self-locking connector provides an electrical connection between sources, equipment, devices, and the like. The self-locking connector generally includes first and second connector components with first and second housings that include corresponding electrically conductive elements, first and second magnetic elements, and first and second lock elements. One housing includes stationary and movable housing components. The connector components are brought into a coupled state with the corresponding electrically conductive elements providing an electrical connection. As the connector components are brought into the coupled state, the movable housing component automatically moves and brings the locking elements into locked engagement. The magnetic elements urge the connector components in the coupled state and the locking elements in locked engagement.

Abstract: A locking connector system for releasably locking a first connector in mechanical engagement with a second connector. The locking connector system generally includes a first connector including a female coupler and a second connector including a male coupler, with the first and second connectors being adapted to mechanically connect to each other. The first connector includes an adjustable latch which selectively engages with a catch portion on the male coupler to lock the connectors together. The latch may be pressed downwardly, such as by use of a connected button, to release the latch from the catch portion and disconnect the connectors. The first connector is adapted to provide audible, visual, and tactile feedback to confirm when the latch engages with the catch portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe an aquaculture environment control system comprising one or more control apparatuses positioned within a vessel at an angle relative to a proximal vessel wall and configured for scouring of the vessel, wherein each control apparatus has a discharge conduit and each discharge conduit has one or more orifices; and a fluid source in fluid communication with each of the control apparatuses. Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a method of controlling an aquaculture environment comprising supplying one or more of a fluid and gas to a control apparatus positioned within a vessel at an angle relative to a proximal vessel wall; and discharging one or more of the fluid and gas from the control apparatus at a fluid velocity sufficient for scouring of the vessel.

Abstract: A robotic wire termination system for efficiently connecting a plurality of wires to an electrical connector. The robotic wire termination system generally includes a frame, a connector support attached to the frame, a robot manipulator having at least one arm, a heating device attached to the at least one arm and a control unit in communication with the robot manipulator to control the operation of the robot manipulator. The arm of the robot manipulator is adapted to move the heating device so that the heating device can apply heat to a selected connector pin of the electrical connector.

Abstract: A preformed solder-in-pin system for use with electrical connectors. The preformed solder-in-pin system generally includes a connector pin having an open cavity at one end, into which a preformed solder member can be first inserted and then pressed, rather than melted, in place, such that voids and air spaces within the cavity are eliminated. The preformed solder-in-pin system can be assembled in high quantities, where the preformed solder members are placed in a fixture and the fixture is placed on a shaker table, so that large numbers of connector pins, pre-installed in connector grommets, can be inserted largely simultaneously.

Abstract: A robotic wire termination system for efficiently and accurately connecting a plurality of wires to an electrical connector having a plurality of connector pins with corresponding wire receptacles. The system generally includes a housing, a removable alignment plate, a robotic positioner, a heating device, a touch responsive display, and a control unit. The alignment plate removably holds a selected electrical connector in a specific position and orientation with the connector pins exposed in the housing and the wire receptacles exposed outside. The display provides a visual representation of the connector pins and selections of the connector pins. The control unit receives inputs indicating the pin selections and controls the robotic positioner to sequentially move the heating device along three orthogonal longitudinal axes to a series of heating positions relative to the selected connector pins to provide heat for melting solder to connect wires to the wire receptacles.

Abstract: A magnetic latching connector for making electrical connections between cables, electrical power and signal sources, equipment and the like in a variety of medical and other applications in which it is desired to have the connection maintained with a predetermined amount of magnetic attractive force. The magnetic latching connector generally includes male and female connector components. The male and female connector components comprise male and female couplings and male and female coupling housings. The male and female coupling housings enclose electrical connections between the male and female couplings and electrical cables. Recessed within the male and female couplings are electrically conductive pins and sockets and male and female magnetic latching elements. When the male and female connector components are coupled, the pins and sockets provide electrical connections and the recessed magnetic latching elements provide a predetermined magnetic attraction force to maintain the connections.

Abstract: A method for inserting preformed solder members into connector pins for use with electrical connectors. The method generally includes a connector pin having an open cavity at one end, into which a preformed solder member can be first inserted and then pressed, rather than melted, in place, such that voids and air spaces within the cavity are substantially eliminated. The method allows for inserting solder members in high quantities, where the preformed solder members are placed in a fixture and the fixture is placed on a shaker table, so that solder members can be inserted into large numbers of connector pins that are pre-installed in connector grommets, largely simultaneously.

Abstract: A preformed solder-in-pin system for use with electrical connectors. The preformed solder-in-pin system generally includes a connector pin having an open cavity at one end, into which a preformed solder member can be first inserted and then pressed, rather than melted, in place, such that voids and air spaces within the cavity are eliminated. The preformed solder-in-pin system can be assembled in high quantities, where the preformed solder members are placed in a fixture and the fixture is placed on a shaker table, so that large numbers of connector pins, pre-installed in connector grommets, can be inserted largely simultaneously.

Abstract: A magnetic latching connector for making electrical connections between cables, electrical power and signal sources, equipment and the like in a variety of medical and other applications in which it is desired to have the connection maintained with a predetermined amount of magnetic attractive force. The magnetic latching connector generally includes male and female connector components. The male and female connector components comprise male and female couplings and male and female coupling housings. The male and female coupling housings enclose electrical connections between the male and female couplings and electrical cables. Recessed within the male and female couplings are electrically conductive pins and sockets and male and female magnetic latching elements. When the male and female connector components are coupled, the pins and sockets provide electrical connections and the recessed magnetic latching elements provide a predetermined magnetic attraction force to maintain the connections.