Abstract: A robotically mateable connector has a flying-lead plug unit and a receptacle unit adapted for releasable mating engagement with the plug unit. The plug unit includes a robotic manipulator grip assembly. A rear end shell which includes a cable attachment fitting holds a plug module having an outer surface carrying a plurality of axially spaced, annular contacts of gradually decreasing diameter towards a forward end of the module, and is rotatable relative to a plug front shell. The receptacle unit contains a receptacle module having a bore containing spaced annular contact seats of gradually increasing diameter designed for engagement with the plug contacts when the plug and receptacle units are fully mated. This provides a robotically actuated electrical connector that requires no rotational keying and relieves cable torque.

Abstract: A rotary joint connector has a plug having a plug contact module and a mating receptacle having a receptacle contact module designed for mating engagement with the plug contact module when the connector is fully mated. One of the units has front and rear shells which are rotatably coupled together and contain the contact module which is held in the rear shell so that the rear shell and contact module are free to rotate in the front shell. The mating contact arrangement is such that the plug and receptacle contact modules do not have to be rotationally aligned to maintain electrical contact, so that relative rotation of the electrical contacts of the two contact modules about the mating axis as a result of rotation of the rear shell does not degrade the quality of the connected circuits.

Abstract: A robotically mateable connector has a flying-lead plug unit and a receptacle unit adapted for releasable mating engagement with the plug unit. The plug unit includes a robotic manipulator grip assembly. A rear end shell which includes a cable attachment fitting holds a plug module having an outer surface carrying a plurality of axially spaced, annular contacts of gradually decreasing diameter towards a forward end of the module, and is rotatable relative to a plug front shell. The receptacle unit contains a receptacle module having a bore containing spaced annular contact seats of gradually increasing diameter designed for engagement with the plug contacts when the plug and receptacle units are fully mated. This provides a robotically actuated electrical connector that requires no rotational keying and relieves cable torque.

Abstract: A rotary joint connector has a plug having a plug contact module and a mating receptacle having a receptacle contact module designed for mating engagement with the plug contact module when the connector is fully mated. One of the units has front and rear shells which are rotatably coupled together and contain the contact module which is held in the rear shell so that the rear shell and contact module are free to rotate in the front shell. The mating contact arrangement is such that the plug and receptacle contact modules do not have to be rotationally aligned to maintain electrical contact, so that relative rotation of the electrical contacts of the two contact modules about the mating axis as a result of rotation of the rear shell does not degrade the quality of the connected circuits.

Abstract: A submersible connector has releasably mateable plug and receptacle units. The plug unit has at least one electrical pin while the receptacle unit has at least one electrical socket module which receives a forward portion of the electrical pin when the units are mated. The pin is surrounded by semi-conductive seals and a conductive housing, while the socket module has a semi-conductive outer layer, and front seals of semi-conductive material on the pin and socket modules are in sealing engagement in the mated condition, isolating the pins from sea water exposure and forming a ground plane continuation at least from receptacle to plug in the mated condition and providing shielding from phase to phase interaction in a multiple pin and socket connector.

Abstract: A keyless harsh environment connector has a plug unit containing a pin having an outer surface carrying a plurality of axially spaced, annular contacts of gradually decreasing diameter towards a forward end of the pin, and a receptacle unit having a fluid-filled chamber containing a corresponding number of axially spaced, annular contacts of gradually increasing diameter towards a forward end of the receptacle unit, configured for mating engagement with corresponding contacts on the plug pin when the units are mated. A sealing mechanism at a forward end of the chamber seals the chamber when the units are unmated and forms a seal with the plug pin on mating of the units. The plug pin is hollow and extends through an interface between opposing seals at the front end of the receptacle contact chamber during mating.

Abstract: A multiple layer conductor pin for a harsh environment connector or penetrator has a conductive shaft, an outer layer of non-conductive, insulating material extending along at least part of the length of the shaft, and an intermediate layer of conductive or semi-conductive material sandwiched between the outer layer and conductive shaft and bonded substantially void-free to the outer insulating layer.

Abstract: An electrical penetrator assembly has a ceramic housing with a through bore, a first electrical conductor extending through a first end of the bore and terminating short of a second end of the bore and having an outer end engageable with a first cable, and a second electrical conductor extending through a second end of the bore and terminating short of the first end of the bore, the second conductor having an outer end engageable with a second cable. The conductors are in electrical communication at their inner ends and at least one of the conductors is movable relative to the other conductor to accommodate expansion and contraction as a result of temperature variations, and first and second seals extend between respective ends of the ceramic housing and the first and second conductor, respectively.

Abstract: A submersible connector has releasably mateable plug and receptacle units. The plug unit has at least one electrical pin while the receptacle unit has at least one electrical socket module which receives a forward portion of the electrical pin when the units are mated. The pin is surrounded by semi-conductive seals and a conductive housing, while the socket module has a semi-conductive outer layer, and front seals of semi-conductive material on the pin and socket modules are in sealing engagement in the mated condition, isolating the pins from sea water exposure and forming a ground plane continuation at least from receptacle to plug in the mated condition and providing shielding from phase to phase interaction in a multiple pin and socket connector.

Abstract: An apparatus for managing lengths of flexible elongate elements between two fixed points has a single spool with a track of predetermined width sufficient for winding alternate turns of the elongate element about opposite side regions of the track in a folded figure eight pattern. A first turn of the elongate element is wound about a first side region of the track, then the element is crossed over to the second side region of the track and a second turn is wound about the second side region of the track. The elongate element is crossed back over to the first side region and a third turn is wound about the first side region. The process is repeated until at least the majority of the slack between the fixed points on the element has been taken up.

Abstract: A submersible connector has releasably mateable first and second connector units. The first connector unit has at least one electrical pin extending through a bore in a retaining base and projecting outward from the forward end of the base. The second connector unit has at least one electrical socket module which receives a forward portion of the electrical pin when the units are mated. A pin seal device is located in one of the connector units and has a through bore which engages part of the pin at least in the mated condition of the units. The seal device has a first and second seals in sealing engagement with portions of the connector units when mated, and a chamber between the seals extends over an opposing portion of the pin at least in the mated condition of the units.

Abstract: First and second connector units each have a contact chamber with a front wall having an opening closed by a stopper. Seals in the respective openings surround and seal the stoppers prior to mating. The stopper in the first connector unit is retracted into the housing during mating while the front wall of second connector unit is retracted into its housing during mating, pushed back by the front wall of the first connector unit, separating the stoppers from the end wall openings and allowing communication between the contact chambers through a passageway defined by the aligned openings. The seals in the end walls seal the passageway during and after mating. A contact assembly in the first connector unit moves transversely into alignment with the passageway for contact with a corresponding fixed contact assembly in the second connector unit as the units move into mating engagement.