Abstract: A circuit protection device that can be incorporated into a coaxial cable connector for protecting the circuit from a voltage transient, comprises an annulus 11 that has a central aperture for receiving a central conductor, e.g. pin, of the connector. The annulus is electrically insulating and has a central electrode (12) for connection to the connector pin and a peripheral electrode (14) for connection to the connector housing and the coaxial cable screen. A portion of the electrodes overlie each other and are separated from each other by a layer of semiconductor switching material (16). For example, a chalcogenide glass switching material (16) may be evaporated onto a small projecting area (15) of the central electrode, followed by a small circular area (17) of copper, and the deposited copper area (17) may be wire bonded to the rest of the peripheral electrode (14) by wire bridge (18).

Abstract: An electrical connector for forming an electrical solder connection comprises an electrically insulating open-ended sleeve 2 which is preferably heat-shrinkable, a pre-installed conductor 5 e.g. for forming an earth connection or for forming a connection to a pcb, and a quantity of solder 3 for forming an electrical connection between the pre-installed conductor and another conductor that is received in the sleeve. The pre-installed conductor has a region of non-uniform cross-section, for example produced by crimping, that will be contacted by the solder when the connection is formed and which increases the force required to pull the two conductors apart.

Abstract: A method of forming a sealed connection to a coaxial cable, preferably splicing two or more coaxial cables comprises:(a) forming a connection between the central conductor e.g. a solder or crimp connection;(b) positioning and recovering a heat shrinkable sleeve over the connection, the sleeve containing a shield portion for connecting the shield of the coaxial cables and being provided with quantities of sealing material which will extend beyond the ends of the sleeve after recovery; and(c) recovering a further heat shrinkable sleeve over the connection. Further sealing elements are provided with fuse with the sealing material associated with the other sleeve to form a barrier against ingress of moisture to the electrical connection.The method is particularly suited to the formation of connections that will be subjected to large changes in ambient pressure as may be experienced in aircraft.

Abstract: Self-cyclisable polymer such as polyacrylonitrile formed within aromatic polymer matrix is heat treated to improve the glass transition temperature and flow characteristics of the aromatic polymer. Polyaryletherketones are preferred as the matrix.

Abstract: This invention relates to heat-shrinkable devices for forming solder connections between two bodies such as electrical conductors or pipes. The devices each comprise a hollow, heat-shrinkable sleeve having at least one aperture and containing first and second solder inserts. The solder inserts are located adjacent to each other and the second insert responds to heat applied to the device more slowly than the first insert. Usually the second insert has a higher melting point than the first insert. When the device is installed the first solder insert melts but is prevented from flowing out of the aperture in the device by the second insert. Also flow of the fused first solder insert onto the second solder insert causes the second insert to melt with less heat being applied to the device than would be needed if only the second, higher melting point solder insert were present in the device.

Abstract: This invention relates to heat-shrinkable devices for forming solder connections between electrical conductors. The devices each comprise of a hollow, heat-shrinkable sleeve having first and second ends, and contain a quantity of solder. Both ends contain heat-softenable sealing material which seal the ends upon recovery of the article, the sealing material at the second end being less responsive to heat than the sealing material at the first end. The conductors to be connected are inserted into the first end of the sleeve and the sleeve recovered. Because the sealing material at the second end does not seal the second end until after the sealing material at the first end has recovered about the inserted conductors at the first end, any hot gases evolved within the article can exit the article via the second end. The invention enables a reliable connection to be made between electrical conductors that are provided with heat-sensitive insulation.

Abstract: A heat recoverable electrical connector has a tubular enclosure that is open at each end to receive respective elongate electrical conductors. The openings are such that the conductors are receivable in the connector by bringing them thereto in a translational movement from a direction perpendicular to their axes; the need for accurate alignment of the conductors with the connector is thus avoided. The connector is subsequently heated to effect its recovery and to connect and encapsulate the conductors. Electrical connection between the conductors is enhanced by a solder ring located within the connector enclosure.

Abstract: The device for enclosing at least part of an elongation object, preferably a connection between electrical conductors, comprising a hollow dimensionally recoverable article having an aperture that communicates between the interior and the exterior of the article, and a quantity of material which seals an aperture. The material is self sealing so that it will allow penetration of a test probe through the material and will continue to seal the article after removal of the probe. Advantageously the article contains an arrangement for connecting electrical conductors, for example a solder insert or crimping connector.

Abstract: A heat-recoverable article is formed from a tube of cross-linked polymeric material. Subsequent to cross-linking, spaced-apart portions of the article are welded together to form two separate compartments in the article. The cross-linking and welding are arranged so that the weld is broken by the forces generated on recovery of the article, whereby the two compartments merge into one. An insert of solder may be provided in one of the compartments, and the other compartment may receive two electrical conductors to be spliced together.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising a heat-shrinkable sleeve, solder, a solder wettable insert and optionally a pre-installed electrical conductor, in fixed locations in the sleeve, the insert assisting in control of solder flow when the connector is heated to join the conductor to a terminal pin.

Abstract: An article for connecting together two substrates, for example the inner conductors of two coaxial cables to be spliced, comprises a sleeve having axially slidably mounted thereon at least one spacer, which spacer enables any member subsequently positioned around the sleeve to be spaced at a desired distance from the sleeve. The method, also described, of using the article to join substrates has the advantage that the substrates can be connected without the need to bend them substantially, so preventing damage to the substrates.

Abstract: A method of making an electrical connection between two electrical conductors includes, in addition to making the electrical connection, the steps of positioning the conductors within a heat-shrinkable sleeve whereby they are held, by an insert positioned within the sleeve, in a substantially fixed transverse relationship to each other in the sleeve, and applying heat to shrink the sleeve. Electrical connectors are also described, one of which comprises a heat-shrinkable sleeve having an insert positioned therein for holding conductors to be connected in a substantially fixed relationship to each other, and a quantity of solder positioned within the sleeve between the insert and an end of the sleeve. A further connector comprises a heat-shrinkable sleeve having an insert positioned therein, the insert comprising at least two compartments side-by-side to one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article suitable for making an electrical connection between two electrical conductors, for example an earth conductor and the outer conductor of a coaxial cable. The article comprises a heat-shrinkable sleeve and a quantity of solder which is positioned eccentrically within the sleeve and is held by and/or on the sleeve. The sleeve also comprises or has guide means capable of locating a portion of the earth conductor in proximity to the quantity of solder. On shrinking of the sleeve and fusing of the solder, an electrical connection can be made between an earth conductor received in the guide means and the outer conductor of a coaxial cable received in the sleeve.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article suitable for making an electrical connection between two electrical conductors, for example an earth conductor and the outer conductor of a coaxial cable. The article comprises a heat-shrinkable sleeve and a quantity of solder which is held by and/or on the sleeve, and is positioned eccentrically within the sleeve. Two discrete quantities of solder may be used.

Abstract: A heat-recoverable article comprises a heat-shrinkable sleeve having an elongate electrical conductor retained therein. The conductor projects from at least one end of the sleeve and at least a portion of the length of the conductor within the sleeve is uninsulated, there being a quantity of solder, which is positioned eccentrically in the sleeve, on at least part of the said uninsulated portion. Articles wherein the conductor is an earth conductor may be used to connect the earth conductor to a substrate, for example the outer conductor of a coaxial cable, inserted into the sleeve.