Abstract: A wet-mateable electrical connector which does not use elastomer as a primary seal is provided. The wet-mateable electrical connector includes a female connector body having an internal central cavity and a female metal sealing surface at a forward end and a female contact housing disposed within the internal central cavity. The female contact housing includes a plurality of female contacts. A sliding pin is movably disposed within the internal central cavity. The wet-mateable electrical connector further includes a male contact pin which has a front end for engagement with a front end of the sliding pin. The male contact pin includes a plurality of male contacts, each of which engages with a respective one of the female contacts so as to establish an electrical connection. The male contact pin has a male metal sealing surface which sealingly engages the female sealing surface to form a metal-to-metal seal.

Abstract: An electrical feedthrough includes a connector body made of a metallic material, at least one contact pin inserted through a cavity in the connector body, and an insulating body made of a thermoplastic material formed between the connector body and the contact pin so as to provide a hermetic seal between the connector body and the contact pin.

Abstract: A cable release apparatus includes a housing and latch mounted at one end of the housing. The latch has a central opening and a plurality of projecting members extending into the housing. A releasable connector is mounted inside the housing. An actuator has one end disposed in the central opening in the latch and another end in contact with the releasable connector. The actuator is movable between a first position prior to activation of the releaseable connector and a second position wherein the releasable connector is activated. Prior to activation of the releasable connector, the latch is held in place by an interference fit between the projecting members and the housing. When the releasable connector is activated, the projecting members are deflected by applying tension to the latch, thereby releasing the latch from the housing.

Abstract: A method of securing and sealing an optical fiber within a bulkhead, the method includes forming a layer of a solder-compatible material over a diffusion barrier covering a metal-clad optical fiber; extending the optical fiber through a metallic housing, with a portion of the layer of solder-compatible material within the housing, the housing and the solder-compatible material defining a gap therebetween; and bridging the gap with a solder to secure the fiber to the housing and to form a pressure-tight seal between the fiber and the housing. In one embodiment, an optical feedthrough includes a metallic housing; a gold-plated optical fiber disposed in the housing, the fiber having a nickel layer disposed thereon and a gold layer disposed over the nickel layer; and a silver-containing solder disposed in the housing and connecting the fiber to the housing, the solder bridging a gap between the metallic housing and the solder-compatible material to form a pressure-resistant seal about the fiber.

Abstract: A down-hole tool includes a first and second portion that are moveable relative to one another, but are electrically coupled together. A rigid tube formed into a helical coil extends between the first and second portions. The helical coil is expandable and compressible in response to movement between the first and second portions. A conductor is positioned within the helically wound tube and is adapted to pass electrical signals between the first and second portions.

Abstract: A male connector, adapted to engage a female connector to form an electrical connection, has an electrically insulative body, an electrically conductive pin secured to the body and extending through a face of the body for electrical contact with the female connector, a cylindrical pin insulator formed in place about the pin and extending through the face of the body, and a wire seal formed in place about the wire jacket and arranged to seal between the wire and the body. In some embodiments, the pin insulator is disposed between two flanges of the pin. The described version has nine wires, pins and corresponding pin insulators. The body preferably defines a circumferential groove for retaining an o-ring seal, and is capable of withstanding a static differential pressure of 15,000 pounds per square inch across the o-ring seal without sustaining structural damage. The male connector is preferably constructed to pass through a circular opening of 1.00 inch diameter. Preferred materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting and converting pressure signals to modulated light signals by microbending optical fibers as a function of the pressure signals. Transducers are described which include a length of multimode optical fiber supported at spaced points across a flexible diaphragm. Movement of the diaphragm in response to the pressure signals microbends the optical fiber to induce attenuation of light travelling along the fiber as a function of the signals.