Abstract: A cable connector having a plug assembly which may be reversibly mated to a receptacle assembly. A grounding clip is provided as part of a socket insert subassembly which projects outwardly of the plug assembly for reception and mounting in the receptacle assembly. The grounding clip in part functions to insure that the plug and receptacle assembly housings are in grounded electrical connection with one another and further functions to electrically connect a ground wire means associated with the plug assembly to the housing thereof. The clip also includes a spring element which biases a latch for the connector into a locked disposition.

Abstract: A filter connector which is capable of conducting high RF currents and which affords removal of its contact members without damage to its filter networks includes an outer metallic shell, an inner body within the shell having a plurality of through channels, a ground plate, a hollow tubular filter network in each channel, and a contact member within each network. Each filter network comprises a plurality of tubular filter elements which are axially aligned, contiguous, and adhere together, an outer conductive coating covering an external portion of at least one of the elements forming a ground electrode and an inner conductive coating on the interior surface of at least one of the elements forming a pin electrode. The filter networks are fixed to the ground plate which is of substantial width dimension to accommodate high RF currents and dissipate the heat generated thereby and for being closely adjacent the filter ground electrodes for coupling thereto.

Abstract: A metal plating process and apparatus is disclosed and includes a plurality of pre-plating stations comprising tanks or reservoirs containing various cleaning and rinsing solutions. A pulse plating or gold flash station including a plating tank is provided after the pre-plating stations, and a plurality of post-plating stations or tanks are provided after the pulse-plating station. Rotatable barrels for containing work loads are carried along a path of travel from station to station along the process. Differential speed mechanisms are provided along the process so that the work load containers rotate at a slower rate of rotation while traveling through air than while the containers are disposed within the various tanks or stations along the process.

Abstract: A system useful in an assembly intended for use in a deep ocean environment for generating gas within the assembly to equalize the internal pressure with the external underwater pressure. In one embodiment, the gas is generated by a chemical reaction between a stored substance and the ocean water itself and, in another embodiment, the gas is generated by a reaction initiated by a pyrotechnic charge.

Abstract: An electrical terminal or contact element for use in an electrical connector, having a resilient tab for retaining the element in the connector housing. The tab is attached to a central portion of the element and extends diagonally through the center of the element at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the element. A free end of the tab extends beyond the element for engaging a shoulder of the housing after the element is inserted through a passageway in the housing. The free end of the tab may be deflected inwardly by means of a pin-like tool to disengage the tab from the shoulder and allow removal of the element from the housing. A stop surface in the central portion of the element prevents deflection of the tab beyond its elastic limit, thereby preventing damage to the terminal element.

Abstract: A mechanical element positioning control system. Position measuring means supply actual position and a computer supplies desired position as the least significant 11 bits of an 18 bit signal to corresponding digital to analog units, each comprising an 11 bit register and an 11 bit digital to analog converter. A differential amplifier compares the outputs of the digital to analog converters and generates a position error signal. A threshold circuit operates to complement the most significant bit of the D/A registers when exceeding of a maximum allowable analog error occurs. A servo system responsive to the position error signal positions the mechanical element to eliminate difference between desired and actual position. By eliminating the seven most significant bits representing desired and actual position, the total range is divided into 2.sup.7 separate fields so that D/A units of practical accuracy may be employed to make feasible a positioning control system of required accuracy and range.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly which selectively receives a plurality of impedance networks enables selective interconnection of a plurality of remote signal stations having predetermined signal characteristics to a central signal processing system. The assembly includes a housing means comprising plural sidewalls and a bottom wall for defining a receiving cavity. A first multiple contact means within the cavity has a first plurality of contacts which are adapted for connection to the central signal processing system and a second multiple contact means within the cavity has a second plurality of contacts which are adapted for connection to the remote signal stations. A plurality of intermediate multiple contact means, each having a third plurality of contacts adapted for selective and independent connection to the impedance networks are also within the cavity.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for mounting an electrical connector to an associated apertured panel board, the electrical connector having a pair of outwardly extending flanges at opposite ends thereof, and the assembly including a pair of connector clips for releasably securing the connector to the panel. Each clip comprises a body member having first and second spaced-apart engagement surfaces disposed in facing relationship to define a mounting slot therebetween, the body member being received through the aperture in the panel so that the engagement surfaces extend along the inner and outer surfaces of the panel to grip the panel therebetween. The body member has a mounting surface spaced from the first engagement surface to receive and hold one of the flanges on the electrical connector, and has spaced-apart abutment shoulders to limit movement of the connector in a predetermined direction. Retaining fingers are carried by the abutment shoulders for snap-in retention of the flange.

Abstract: A modularized electrical connector includes plural sets of electrical contacts carried by a support means. A first adapter plug having an associated set of electrical contacts is constructed and arranged for disposition in releasable electrical engagement with any selected set of the plural contact sets. A second adapter affixed to the support member is flexibly wired to the movable first adapter and includes an associated set of electrical contacts for electrical connection to a mating connector plug. A mounting member is provided for securing the first adapter in a selected position. Other features are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sheet metal contact element which can be inserted into a chamber of an insulating housing and comprises a rear terminal portion for connecting a conductor, a forward contacting portion, and an intermediate locking section with at least one stamped, outwardly protruding locking tab to anchor the contact element in the chamber. When a strong tensile load is applied to prior art contact elements, the locking tabs, which usually are bent slightly outwardly, are deflected toward the interior of the contact element and permanently distorted. Thus, the contact element is no longer kept in the proper axial position, and the damaged contact element must be replaced. This problem is solved by the present invention by providing a reinforcing pin inserted into the inner cavity of the locking portion. The reinforcing pin prevents the locking hook from being deflected into the interior of the contact element when a load is applied.

Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed and has complementary receptacle and plug connector members, each member having a hollow shell containing a conventional insulating insert which houses electrical contacts. A rotatable coupling ring is carried by the plug and is engageable with the receptacle for mating the connector members and holding the contacts in electrical engagement. A radially deflectable detent leaf spring is carried on an inner circumferential portion of the coupling ring, and the leaf spring has a radially extending detent protrusion intermediate the ends thereof and engageable with an annular array of ratchet-type detent teeth on an outer circumferential portion of the connector plug. The leaf spring is comprised of a pair of superimposed leaf portions joined together integrally at adjacent ends thereof by an enlarged loop portion. The loop portion is positionable within an axially exposed mounting recess at one end of the coupling ring.

Abstract: A modularized electrical connector is disclosed and has position adjustable contact elements for engaging selective second contact elements of a complementary electrical connector. The electrical connector includes a housing defining an elongated cavity, with a top portion of the housing having an elongated cavity, with a top portion of the housing having an elongated end opening communicating with the cavity. A movable insert member is provided and includes an insert element constructed and arranged for disposition at any preselected one of a predetermined plurality of positions along the length of the housing cavity. Contact elements are supported by the insert member for mating engagement with selected contact elements of a complementary electrical connector according to the position of the insert member within the cavity.

Abstract: Improved modular interface connectors and connector assemblies incorporating such connectors are disclosed for interconnecting telephones and telephone signal equipment. The modular connectors of the invention include improved mounting structures which permit each connector to be slidably mounted on a support member in at least two alternate orientations and to be retained at any position between two spaced shoulders of the support member. In addition, the modular connector is preferably an integrally molded plastic unit configured to permit its fabrication in a single-action mold. In one embodiment, the interface connector further includes a removable comb member which separates and aligns the active portions of the connector contact elements and prevents access through the entrance aperture of the connector to the free ends of the contact elements.

Abstract: A composite epoxy/glass-microsphere-dielectric for hermetic R.F. connectors and coaxial cables is provided. A material which is a composition of moisture resistant epoxy resin, curing agent, glass microspheres, and silane coupling agent provide a low dielectric constant material to be molded into the various geometrics required for hermetic R.F. connectors and coaxial cables.

Abstract: A crimping apparatus or machine is disclosed in which electrical contacts of any one of a variety of conformations are fed from a receptacle or reservoir which holds a supply of contacts of selected conformation. The contacts are fed seriatim from the receptacle and are oriented and advanced to a crimping mechanism where each contact is selectively crimped to the end of an electrical cable. The receptacle includes a vibratory container which can be supplied with a plurality of contacts in a random array and the container is vibrated whereas the contacts are fed outwardly from the container along a helical path leading from the bottom of the container to an orienting mechanism. The orienting mechanism includes a downwardly inclined ramp connected to the container to be oscillated therewith so that the contacts move down the ramp one at a time due to vibration and gravity toward an advancing mechanism. The advancing mechanism is selectively actuatable and feeds the contacts seriatim to a crimping mechanism.

Abstract: An EMI shielded connector assembly is disclosed for terminating a shielded electrical cable. The EMI shielded cable preferably includes a plurality of conductors and electrically isolated inner and outer EMI shielding layers surrounding the conductors. The connector assembly includes a connector member having a plurality of contact elements, a mating portion for engaging a compatible connector member, and a terminal portion for terminating the cable conductors to the contact elements. A shielding element is electrically connected to the outer shielding layer of the cable and substantially surrounds the terminal portion of the connector member to provide continuous shielding of the connector member from electromagnetic interference, the shielding element being mechanically secured to the cable and to the connector member.

Abstract: A system for maintaining seal integrity under pressure and monitoring leakage within an electric penetration assembly of the type which extends through a containment wall of a nuclear reactor installation. The manifold passage in the penetration header plate is filled with a dielectric liquid and is pressurized by an apparatus which includes an accumulator containing the dielectric liquid and located inside the penetration header plate to supply the liquid thereto. The liquid in the accumulator is kept under pressure by a diaphragm separating the liquid from an inert gas which is under pressure.

Abstract: Circuit transfer apparatus is described for use in transferring from time-responsive control to temperature-responsive control, and vice-versa, in a microwave oven. The low cost, miniaturized apparatus is mounted to the wall of the oven's cooking cavity and is operated from within the cavity by insertion or withdrawal of the cable plug of the heat-sensitive food probe. The probe plug cooperates with insulative elements to activate spring-leaf sheet metal contacts mounted in the housing of the apparatus, to thereby effect the circuit transfer. The housing also serves as mechanical retention means for the probe plug.

Abstract: This invention relates to a locking mechanism for coupling anduncoupling electrical connectors. In the prior art, because of the large number of electrical contacts contained within the male and female connector parts, the insertion and extraction forces for coupling and uncoupling the connector parts are often sufficiently high to damage the supports for the connector parts. This is especially true with printed circuit boards wherein the insertion and extraction forces are applied normal to the flat surface of the board. The present invention overcomes this deficiency by providing an improved locking mechanism for coupling together and uncoupling mating electrical connector parts. One connector part is provided with an actuator pivotally mounted for applying force in both an insertion and an extraction direction as the actuator pivots. A projection on the other electrical connector part receives the insertion and extraction forces for coupling and uncoupling the connector parts, respectively.

Abstract: An electrical connector for attachment to a printed circuit board which allows stacked printed circuit boards to be positioned closer together than previously possible. The connector comprises a housing, one surface of which is mounted against one side of the printed circuit board, and at least one resilient female contact having a terminal end extending through a passageway in the housing and attached to the printed circuit board. An intermediate portion of the female contact is bent such that the portion is substantially parallel to the printed circuit board. The other end of the terminal is folded over to form a wiping surface for contacting a mating male contact extending from an adjacent printed circuit board. The housing includes an opening adjacent the contacting end of the female contact to allow passage of the male contact through the housing and into engagement with the female contact.