An electrical feedthrough includes a base body having a first side and an opposed second side and at least one through-hole extending through the base body from the first side to the second side, an insulating material received in the through-hole, the insulating material having a first surface on the first side of the base body and an opposed second surface on the second side of the base body, and an electrical conductor extending through the insulating material, the electrical conductor having a first diameter at the location of the first surface of the insulating material and a second diameter at the location of the second surface of the insulating material, wherein the first diameter of the electrical conductor is larger than the second diameter of the electrical conductor.

A structural assembly of an aircraft has a fastener extending into first and second structural members. A washer is disposed between the fastener and one of the structural members to electrically insulate the fastener and the structural members. The washer has a core of reinforcement fibers supported in a thermoplastic matrix material. Electrically-insulating outer layers of glass fibers overlay the core.

High-voltage insulators are disclosed that are capable of handling diverse requirements, such as providing high standoff voltages, high temperature cycling, and the ability to withstand flexural stress. One high-voltage insulator includes a first piece formed from a first material, a second piece formed from a second material, and an interface section where the first piece contacts with and forms a seal with the second piece. The interface includes a first groove located that accommodates a first gasket, sets of matching threads on the first and second pieces. The interface section further accommodates a second gasket. In this multi-piece high-voltage insulator, the first material can have a first set of flexural, heat resistance, and electrical standoff characteristics suitable for a first environment, and the second material can have a second set of flexural, heat resistance and electrical standoff characteristics suitable for a second environment.

A surgical instrument having: a wall; an electrically insulating substrate; an electrical connection, wherein at least a portion of the electrical connection is applied on an exterior surface of the electrically insulating substrate; an insulating layer applied on the portion of the electrical connection; and a hermetic connection layer applied to the insulating layer, wherein the hermetic connection layer is hermetically connected to the wall to separate a hermetic chamber from an outer area.

A penetrator assembly, for high pressure and/or subsea applications, includes a body. The body includes a first end surface, in operation subject to a pressure of a high pressure environment; a second end surface distanced from the first end surface, which in operation is subject to a pressure of a low pressure environment; at least one connecting passage connecting the first end surface to the second end surface; at least one groove extending from the first end surface towards the second end surface, being distanced from second end surface and surrounding the connecting passage and including an annular opening on the first end surface; and annular lips between a first portion of connecting passage adjacent to the first end surface and the groove, the annular lips in operation being subject to the pressure of the high pressure environment and providing a pressure balance around the first portion of connecting passage.

A glass-metal feedthrough includes: an external conductor having a coefficient of expansion α.sub.external, and having an opening formed therein; an internal conductor disposed in the opening, the internal conductor including iron and having a coefficient of expansion α.sub.internal, the external conductor and the internal conductor being configured to not release nickel when in contact with a human or animal body or biological cells of a cell culture; and a glass material surrounding the internal conductor within the opening and having a coefficient of expansion α.sub.glass, the coefficient of expansion of the internal conductor α.sub.internal and the coefficient of expansion of the external conductor α.sub.external are such that a joint pressure on the internal conductor of at least 30 MPa is generated in a temperature range of 20° C. to a glass transformation temperature of the glass material.

A transistor outline package is provided that includes a header with a mounting area for an optoelectronic component. The header has a signal pin disposed in a feedthrough. The feedthrough is filled with an insulating material made of glass and/or glass ceramic. The feedthrough has a recessed area on at least one side that is not completely filled up with the insulating material. The recessed area defines a cavity at least partially around the signal pin and the signal pin has an enlarged portion in the recessed area.

A lead-through or connecting element is provided that includes an assembly having a carrier body of a high-temperature alloy, a functional element, and an at least partially crystallized glass. The crystallized glass is between a portion of the functional element and a portion of the carrier body. The carrier body subjects the crystallized glass to a compressive stress of greater than or equal to zero, at a temperature from at least 20° C. to more than 450° C. Also provided are a method for producing a lead-through or connecting element, the use of such a lead-through or connecting element, and to a measuring device including such a lead-through or connecting element.

Contact pins for glass seals is provided having an iron alloy and a method for their production. The contact pins are provided with a nickel layer and coated with rhodium and/or platinum or with palladium. The contact pins may be additionally provided with a layer of gold. The contact pins are first cleaned by degreasing and activating, preferably by activating through acid etching. Thereafter, the application of a nickel layer is performed under a protective gas atmosphere, followed by formatting at 850 to 1050° C. The protective gas atmosphere is preferably made up of 10 to 100% hydrogen, with the balance formed of nitrogen. This is followed by a coating with palladium or with rhodium and platinum, or with platinum, or with rhodium and gold.

A hermetic terminal includes a metal outer ring made of a low resistance conductor having a through hole, a lead made of a low resistance conductor inserted in the through hole of the metal outer ring, and an insulating material made of high expansion glass for sealing the metal outer ring and the lead.