Abstract: Flame retarded organopolysiloxane gels suitable for sealing and protecting electrical contacts include (i) an organopolysiloxane gel having repeat units of the structure ##STR1## where each R is independently phenyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or fluoroalkyl, at least 40% of the R groups being phenyl; and (ii) an additive package mixed with the organopolysiloxane, which is (a) zinc oxide; (b) antimony oxide; (c) a brominated compound having a molecular weight of at least 450 and a bromine content of at least 40 weight %; (d) a chlorinated compound having a molecular weight of at least 300 and a chlorine content of at least 40 weight %; or (e) combinations of the above. The additive package is used in an amount between about 10 and about 60 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of organopolysiloxane.

Abstract: An arrangement for forming a stub splice between two or more elongate electrical conductors comprises a hollow electrical connector and a hollow cap containing a quantity of gel. In use, the cap engages an open end of the connector, and the elongate conductors extend through the open end of the connector and through one or more apertures contained in the cap. Once the cap is engaged, the gel is compressed and the splice is sealed against moisture ingress. In order to ensure that the gel is maintained under compression, the cap may optionally contain a quantity of non-gelatinous resiliently compressible material which substantially compensates for any changes in the volume of gel.

Abstract: An electrical crimp connector (1) comprises a crimp barrel (3) located within an insulating sleeve (4), and a quantity of gel (5) located within each end region of the insulating sleeve at each end of the crimp barrel. Each quantity of gel contains an aperture (10) to allow wires (2) to be inserted into the crimp barrel. Once the connector has been crimped, the gel located within each end region of the insulating sleeve seals it against moisture ingress, forming a moisture-resistant electrical connection.

Abstract: An electrical terminal (1) for connection to one or more electrical wires comprises a conventional terminal portion (2) having a lug portion (3) and a hollow shank (4), a jacket (11) of polymeric insulation that extends over the shank, and a tapering hollow connection piece (6) for example in the form of a coiled wire. The tapering connection piece has an internal and external screw thread and is arranged partly within the end of the shank. It is capable of receiving one or more electrical wires so that they can be secured within the connection piece (6), and the connection piece (6) can be secured within the shank (5) by twisting the terminal about the wires. The jacket (11) is preferably formed from a heat-shrinkable sleeve, and the terminal preferably includes a quantity of solder (9) for forming a permanent electrical connection.

Abstract: A method of sealing a connector (2) in an electrical cable (1) for example a submarine cable comprises:(i) applying a quantity of gel (6) onto the connector and encapsulate at least part of it;(ii) positioning an inner hollow dimensionally recoverable article (9), for example in the form of a cap, about the connector and gel and recovering it thereon to enclose the gel and at least part of the connector, the recovery causing part (12) of the gel to exude out of the open end of the article; and(iii) positioning an outer hollow open-ended dimensionally recoverable article (13) over the connector (2) and recovering it so that it encloses at least the end of the inner article (9) and the part (12) of the gel (6) that has exuded therefrom.This method can enable an effective seal against moisture ingress to be made while at the same time being relatively easy to remove for re-entry without damaging the connector.

Abstract: Uniaxially conductive connector formed in situ on microchip by laser drilling an insulating layer at least 5 micrometers thick to provide holes communicating with the chip bonding sites, and depositing metal in the holes to establish electrical connection with the bonding sites. Excimer U.V. laser ablation of a polyimide insulating layer is preferred, followed by removal of a surface layer (preferably of amorphous polyamide from the insulating layer to expose the ends of the metal deposited in the holes.

Abstract: An electrical component has a body (1) and a plurality of leads extending from the body, and is enclosed in an insulating plastics sleeve (4) that extends over the body and leads. The sleeve (4) has a number of heat-recoverable end portions (6, 7) that extend over the leads and enclose a quantity of solder (8, 9), so that the leads can be permanently connected to further terminals by heating the end portions of the sleeves to cause them to recover and the solder to fuse.

Abstract: A mass termination connector (2) having a low profile backshell which may be efficiently stacked. A wiring assembly (24) having conductors (26) extend through a braid (10) and a backshell adapter body (6) to a connector housing (4). The braid is attached to the exterior of the adapter body, removed from the interior compartment, to protect the wiring assembly from chafing during shock and vibration.

Abstract: An arrangement for enclosing the termination of a screened electrical cable to an electrical conductor comprises a coupling element, e.g. an adaptor (1) that is intended to engage the connector and is formed from a metal having a conductive passivate layer thereon, and a dimensionally recoverable article (2) for enclosing the termination after recovery onto the cable. The article (2) includes an electrical screen (8) and is partially recovered into engagement with the coupling element (1) so that an end of the screen (8) is in electrical contract with a portion (5) of the coupling element. The portion (5) of the coupling element has no passivate layer thereon.It has been found that the electrical resistance of the band formed between the screen (8) and the coupling element (1) is relatively constant during storage at elevated temperature.

Abstract: A device 1 for forming an electrical connection between a plurality of electrical conductors comprises an electrically insulating sleeve (3), a metallic connecting element (4) located within the sleeve and a quantity of solder (8) for forming a permanent electrical connection between the conductors. The connecting element (4) has an external surface that is uneven so that a significant proportion of any radiation that is radially inwardly directed onto the external surface of the element will be reflected at least twice by the external surface of the element.This uneveness enables the response of the device to heating by infrared radiation to be significantly improved. The connecting element may be formed for example by coiling a wire having a polygonal, e.g. square, cross-section into a frusto-conical helix.

Abstract: A heating device for recovering a heat-recoverable plastics sleeve about a portion of a wire harness comprises a housing having a heating location when the portion of the harness and heat-recoverable sleeve are introduced, and a heating unit that is movable between a rearward position in which it surrounds the heating location. The heating unit comprises a pair of heating jaws (5,5') that open as they move toward the heating location and then close as they arrive at it so that the portion of the harness to be heated is completely enclosed within the heating unit. The jaws open again when they recede from the heating location to allow the harness to be removed.

Abstract: A system for employing induction heating to heat a non-magnetic, electrically non-conductive material in situ quickly, uniformly, selectively and in a controlled fashion. Particles which are essential to the improved use of induction heating for this type of application are added to the host material and exposed to high frequency alternating electromagnetic fields such as those produced in an induction coil. The particles are ferromagnetic, having high magnetic permeability and high electrical conductivity. The heat-generating efficiency of these particles when exposed to alternating magnetic fields, permits a smaller volume fraction of these particles in the host material such that the desired properties of the article remain essentially unchanged. Overheating of the article may be prevented by selecting the particle Curie point such that the particle autoregulates at a temperature about equal to the temperature to which the article is to be heated.

Abstract: A device (1) for forming an electrical connection at the end of a bundle of wires (2) comprises an electrically insulating, preferably heat-shrinkable, sleeve (3), a metallic connecting element (4) located within the sleeve, and a quantity of solder (8) for forming a permanent electrical connection between the conductors. The connecting element (4) has a tapering internal surface which has a screw thread so that a temporary electrical connection can be formed by screwing the bundle of wires into the connecting element. Preferably the connecting element is formed by winding a wire, e.g. hard tempered copper wire, into a frusto-conical form. Splices in wire bundles may be made by means of a device in which the connecting element has a pair of internally threaded portions into which different cable bundles can be screwed.

Abstract: A method of forming a heat-recoverable article including the steps of profile extruding polymeric material into a predetermined shape, irradiating the polymeric material and then deforming the polymeric material into a generally planar configuration. Also disclosed is a heat-recoverable article including a generally planar layer of polymeric material which is in the heat unstable condition. Opposed surfaces of the polymeric material have a latent recovery stress, however opposite in sense, so that the article upon recovering towards a predetermined shape, exhibits substantially no residual stress. Further disclosed is a heat-recoverable article made by the method.

Abstract: Composite solder articles contain a first portion of a first solder having a first melting point, T.sub.1, and a second portion of a second solder having a second melting point, T.sub.2, which is at least (T.sub.1 +10).degree. C. Such articles are useful as the sole solder-producing inserts in heat-recoverable solder connection devices. When the device is heated, the second solder will not melt until the first solder has melted and flowed. Thus the second solder portion can indicate when the first solder has flowed, and/or can control flow of the first solder.

Abstract: A device suitable for insertion into a mammalian body comprises an elongated tube or cannula, an elastic member for bending the cannula, and a straightener preventing the elastic member from bending the cannula. The straightener and elastic member are capable of relative axial movement, so that the elastic straightener can be positioned to prevent or allow the elastic from bending the cannula. Preferably the elastic member is formed from a superelastic shape-memory alloy. Other versions of the device without a straightener are described.

Abstract: An arrangement for enclosing a branch-off between a pair of cables (2,3,4) comprises a dimensionally recoverable sleeve (5) which can surround the branch-off, and one or more clips (6) which can be positioned about opposed walls of the sleeve to divide the sleeve into channels for the cables. The or each clip (6) is of unitary form and has a pair of legs (8) that are splayed outwardly to facilitate positioning of the clip over the sleeve walls. The or each clip is deformable so that the legs can be forced towards each other after the clip has been positioned on the sleeve walls but is sufficiently rigid, at least in its deformed state, it will resist opening out of the legs under the recovery forces of the sleeve.The invention provides a relatively simple and easy to install enclosure for branch-offs in harnesses for example that are intended to be used in automotive vehicles.

Abstract: A device for forming an electrical connection between a number of electrical wires comprises an electrically insulating sleeve and a hollow connecting element, for example in the form of a coil, which is formed from solder for forming a solder joint between the wires. The connecting element has a tapering internal surface that is provided with a screw thread, for example by means of the coil windings, arranges so that a temporary electrical connection may be formed between the conductors by twisting them into the connecting element. The device can be higher and, when installed have reduced size compared with connectors that are provided with infusible connecting elements.

Abstract: This invention relates to flat cables comprising a plurality of substantially parallel insulated conductors bonded to a polymeric substrate which has a melting point greater than 200.degree. C. and/or a thickness less than 2.5 mils (98 microns) and a method for the production of such cables.

Abstract: A process of placing a sleeve on a cable comprising:A) wetting at least one ofa) the internal surfaces of the sleeve andb) the external surfaces of a substrate on which the sleeve is to be placed with an aqueous mixture comprising a lubricant;B) draining excess aqueous mixture from the wetted surfaces;C) placing the sleeve into close and conforming contact with the substrate;D) sliding the sleeve off of the substrate; andE) placing the sleeve over the cable.