Abstract: A threat field sensor has a hollow metal enclosure with imperforate side walls except for a single aperture that is small as compared with the wavelength of interfering electromagnetic energy. A coaxial conductor is located in the enclosure cavity and has separate sets of leads interconnected to each conductor end. Electric signals induced in the coaxial conductor and present at the conductor ends by the external electromagnetic fields passing through the enclosure aperture are converted to two corresponding light signals. The light signals are transmitted to remotely located processing apparatus by an optical fiber link where the light signals are converted once again to electric signal counterparts. Summing and differencing these electric signals provides two final signals representative of the electric and magnetic field, respectively.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a connector for two flat electrical cables having the same plurality of conduits. The electricity passes from one conduit to the corresponding conduit by way of a dielectric insert having holes therethrough, with electrically conductive means having at least a portion of a hemispherical surface protruding on each side of the dielectric insert. Preferably pressure is applied to the cable/insert/cable sandwich quasi-hydrostatically through a low durometer elastomeric materic material. For EMI/EMP shielding, the low durometer elastomeric material is electrically conductive and encloses completely the connection.

Abstract: A grounding plate having a flanged edge wall continuously around its periphery is press fit into the open end of a connector part shell. The plate provides a continuous intimate contacting relationship between the plate flange and the inner wall of the connector shell. A plurality of openings are formed in the plate aligned with the connector contacts contained within the connector part. A length of shielding braid, which can be identical to that carried by a cable wire has one open end soldered onto a cable wire shield. A metal ferrule grounding plug has an open end which is soldered or otherwise electrically and mechanially secured to the other end of length of shield braid. The outer end of the grounding plug has a radially outwardly directed flange and a slotted side wall, such that the plug on being inserted into a grounding plate opening is compressed, and then when the flange has passed through the plate it snaps outwardly to lock the plug in place.

Abstract: An electrically conductive block assembly is provided for positioning contact pins in an electrical connector and dissipating high energy voltage pulses to a ground. A voltage variable material is used to space the pins out of direct contact with the block. The block is in electrical communication with a grounded electrical connector housing. High voltage pulses to the contact pins will divert into the voltage variable material, through the block and to the grounded housing.

Abstract: A non-intrusive, annular, broad range current sensor is located about the transmission line at the shorting location of the shielding device. Effectiveness of the shielding of the device can be readily determined for any particular predetermined frequency or range of frequencies by noting the current sensor readings and output voltage. That is, the lower the output voltage/sensor voltage readings in the test frequency range, the higher the shielding effectiveness of the device.

Abstract: A current detection device has an annular dielectric substrate with a thin (e.g., less than one skin depth at maximum frequency) resistive foil laid down on the substrate outer surface and extending completely thereabout. Annular metal rims are affixed to the substrate edges respectively contacting the metal foil or film. A conductive strip of appropriate dimensions is received onto the outer edges of the metal rims and extends about the complete circumference of the rims. A resistive material is used to secure the conductive strip to the edges of the rims so that the entire resistance of the strip and resistance material exceeds that of the sensing metal foil to prevent shorting out of the foil.

Abstract: A contact for an optical fiber has a ferrule onto one end of which a tip is releasably fitted. The end wall of the tip includes an opening of predetermined diameter within which a bare fiber of only very slightly less diameter is to located. The optical fiber with bare fiber end portion is received through the opposite end of the ferrule and the bare fiber end is located within the tip opening spaced inwardly from the tip end wall. The contact is received within a hollow tubular terminus body and extends out one end thereof, the remainder being retained within the terminus body by a flange on the ferrule. Additional parts terminate the fiber strength member externally of the contact and a spring provides axial resiliency to the contact. The tip outer end surface may have a concavity for receiving a spherical lens and a lens holder secures the lens against the tip end.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a connector for two flat electrical cables having the same plurality of conduits. The electricity passes from one conduit to the corresponding conduit by way of a dielectric insert having a parallel array of conductive spring-like finger contacts to complete the circuits; such as, double ended cantilevered single leaf springs. For EMI/EMP shielding an elastomeric conductive material seal surrounds horizontally the connection within the connector.

Abstract: A plug and receptacle electrical connector releasably engageable to interconnect corresponding pairs of cable wires through included electrical contacts has one of the connector parts with a coded set of keys on an outer surface and the other connector part with an opening, the flange edge of which is formed with a corresponding coded set of keyways so as to accept the keyed connector part therewithin. Relative rotation of the connector parts locks the flanged edge behind the keys mating the connector parts. One of the connector parts has a pair of pressure-applying members which extend radially outwardly from the connector part at a substantial angular separation from one another, and the other connector part has first and second pressure-applying members extending radially outwardly from the other connector part at a mutual angle less than that of the pressure applying members on the first connector part. The pressure applying members can be manipulated by the use of one hand alone.

Abstract: An electrical connector part has its connector end covered by a metal shield or grid plate having openings individually aligned with electrical contacts. The electrical contacts are of the "butt" variety having spring-loaded parts which shieldingly cover the grid plate openings when the connector parts are released.

Abstract: An optical signal coupler has a pair of graded index lenses joined at a common face by a semi-reflective film (e.g., dichroic coating). Opposite sides of the lens system are provided with a pair of fibers having their ends at predetermined points such that a light signal applied to either of the fibers has a first part which reflects from the lens coating onto the other fiber on the same side of the lens and a second part which passes through the lens system to exit via one of the remaining fibers at the opposite lens side. The entire lens and four fiber waveguides are formed into a unitary relationship by encapsulation.

Abstract: The inner end surface of the outer end portion of an electrical connector coupling ring has a set of teeth extending circumferentially about the coupling ring. A metal ring has a bore sufficient to enable it being received onto the connector plug and an outer diameter sufficient to enable receipt within the coupling ring and allow the coupling ring to rotate thereabout. One or more keyways on the decoupling ring are interlocked with keys on the connector plug maintaining the antidecoupling ring and plug in fixed relationship to one another, irrespective of movement of the coupling ring. At least one elongated leaf spring has an end formed into a detent that rides along and between the coupling ring teeth. The other spring end is rotatably located on a pivot pin mounted to the circumferential periphery of the anti-decoupling ring.

Abstract: One connector part has an outer locking shell spring-loaded to move axially and with an interior circumferential cavity which can be aligned with locking fingers when the locking shell is subjected to a predetermined amount of separating force enabling the locking fingers to be released. The other connector part is spring-loaded to hold further locking fingers in contacting relation to an outer surface of the connector shell. When an axial force applied to mated connector parts exceeds the first predetermined releasing force and connector release has not been achieved then the spring-loaded other connector part allows its fingers to extend beyond the innermost end of that connector part releasing the fingers from locking engagement and, therefore, releasing the connector parts.

Abstract: One end of an electrical connector first contact is a metallic cylinder which is hollow to receive a cable wire for soldered or crimping securement. A second contact has a body portion constructed substantially the same as the first contact except that its pin end is faced off to a flat surface. A hollow cylindrical metal shell with one closed end and a flanged open end is slidingy received on the body portion other cylindrical end. Mating engagement of the connector parts brings the radiused pin end of the first contact into pressurizing connection with the second contact metal shell establishing the desired connection. Unmating may be accomplished by either axial or transverse relative movement of the connector parts. In a further embodiment the hollow cylindrical metal shell has one or more inwardly formed spring fingers that slide over the enlarged head during assembly and prevent inadvertent removal of the shell from the rest of the contact.

Abstract: An electrical contact for use in a releasable connector part having a closed-end metal shell with resilient springlike sidewalls, the shell closed-end contactingly covering an opening in a shield plate when the connector is unmated. When mated, a corresponding contact in the other connector part passes through the shield plate opening moving the metal shell closed-end away from the shield plate and into current conducting relation with a shaft connected with a cable wire. In an alternate version, the metal shell closed-end moves into connective relation with an end wall of a further metal shell interconnected with the cable wire.

Abstract: A cylindrical rubber or elastomeric gasket which is L-shaped in cross-section having an outwardly extending rim or flange is initially located between a cylindrical backshell and a connector part which the backshell is to be magnetically clamped. The internal diameter of the seal closely approximates the major diameter of the connector part. The backshell end is slid onto the connector part and, more particularly, onto and over the seal with the seal flange extending around the end of the backshell with its outermost surface abutting against a flange on the connector part. The seal in this way accomplishes both aligning of the backshell with the axis of the connector part for the electromagnetic forming step and, as well, effects environmental sealing after the backshell is fully in place.

Abstract: A bare optical fiber is located within the interstice of three cylindrical pins with the fiber end extending outwardly of the contact assembly. The contact is located within an axial opening of a rotatable drum member with the bare optical fiber end extending outwardly. The drum member is interconnected via bearings to an outer rotatable portion of the drum member. A pretensioning clamp is arranged to receive the bare end of the fiber to secure it between clamp heads which applies an axial tension to the bare fiber with respect to the contact. A cutter blade mounted on the rotatable portion of the drum is adjustable to move a knife edge angularly toward the bear fiber to contact the bare fiber at a point closely adjacent the contact pin ends. Rotation of the outer portion of the drum member scores the fiber, as desired.

Abstract: After removing a portion of the insulative covering from a cable leaving exposed the bare shield, a circumferential cut is made in the shield. A flanged, split-ring cylindrical metal contact is located underneath the braid with the flange extending through the cut. Shrink tape applied over the exposed shield serves to hold this shield and portions of the underlying contact together. A receiver tube located on the cable has an internal shoulder which fits against the contact flange and a gland nut threaded into the open end of the receiver tube has an internal end pressing against the contact flange to force it into contact with the receiver tube internal shoulder.

Abstract: In a plug and receptacle connector, directly couple to the threads of the coupling ring with threads on the driven portion of the connector (e.g., plug), without a coupling nut, and insert a spring intermediate at least one of the threads on the coupling ring and the driven portion. A split-wave spring having corrugated legs may be used. Another feature is to provide notches on the thread facing the wave spring legs to receive the end of the respective leg for preventing the spring from slipping out of the threads.

Abstract: A cryogenic electrical connector including an elastomeric seal member for use between selected temperatures such as plus 250 degrees F. through minus 452 degrees F. wherein a change in the elastic state of the seal member at a cryogenic temperature to an inelastic state is compensated by the seal member to maintain a desired seal with respect to materials having substantially different coefficients of thermal expansion as compared to the coefficient of expansion of the material of the seal member.