Electrical connector with field serviceable shell assembly

Abstract

A connector comprises an external mounting flange that provides a housing in which a gimbal shell assembly sits and pivots. An internal recessing shell is capable of having an electrical connection with the gimbal shell assembly, wherein when the gimbal shell assembly is disengaged, no electrical connection exists between internal recessing shell and gimbal shell assembly. A center screw is capable of being torqued to disengage and reengage the gimbal shell assembly.

Claims

1. A connector, comprising: an external mounting flange that provides a housing in which a gimbal shell assembly sits and pivots; an internal recessing shell capable of having an electrical connection with the gimbal shell assembly, wherein when the gimbal shell assembly is disengaged, no electrical connection exists between the internal recessing shell and gimbal shell assembly; a center screw that is torqued to disengage the gimbal shell assembly; one or more bayonet grooves in which one or more gimbal shell bayonets slide to assemble the connector; a spring shelf that supports a wave spring; and an alignment groove that aligns a spring captivation nut shell with a bottom assembly and causes the one or more bayonet grooves to be aligned with a forward direction indicator; wherein the gimbal shell assembly comprises a gimbal shell having the one or more gimbal shell bayonets, the spring captivation nut shell comprising the one or more bayonet grooves and the spring shelf that supports the wave spring for providing a load as the center screw is torqued in a first direction of rotation and the gimbal shell assembly is pulled to a position of engagement; wherein the wave spring further provides a load so that, as the center screw is torqued in a second direction of rotation, the gimbal shell assembly is pushed to a position of disengagement, where the bottom assembly supports and aligns the spring captivation nut shell and the gimbal shell assembly during engagement and disengagement.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the gimbal shell assembly houses electrical contacts.

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the electrical contacts provide an electrical path for signals and power to and from an aircraft and ordinance.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the gimbal assembly rotates to an angle x after the center screw is torqued in the second direction of rotation to disengage the gimbal assembly.

5. The connector of claim 4, further comprising a visual indicator that is aligned when the gimbal shell assembly is rotated to an angle x.

6. The connector of claim 1, wherein the spring captivation nut shell comprises bayonet grooves in which bayonets on the gimbal shell slide to engage and disengage the gimbal shell assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a right-front perspective view of the connector according to one embodiment;

(2) FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the connector with the shell assembly in the engaged configuration during use according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the connector with the shell assembly in the disengaged configuration when not in use according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2;

(4) FIG. 4 is a right cross-sectional view of the connector according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3;

(5) FIG. 5 is a portion of the cross-section of the connector with the center screw partially turned for disengagement according to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4;

(6) FIG. 6 is a right perspective view of the exertional mounting flange shown in detail according to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-5;

(7) FIG. 7 is a right perspective view of the gimbal shell assembly according to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-6;

(8) FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the gimbal shell assembly;

(9) FIG. 9 is a right perspective view of the spring captivation nut shell according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-8; and

(10) FIG. 10 is a right perspective view of the internal recessing shell according to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(11) For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the accompanying drawings several embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown therein and described below.

(12) The connector in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-10, wherein like reference numerals are used throughout to designate like elements.

(13) With reference to FIG. 1 a right-front perspective view of the connector 10 according to one embodiment is shown. An external mounting flange 1 provides a way to assemble an umbilical assembly. The external mounting flange 1 provides a housing in which a gimbal shell assembly 2 sits and pivots.

(14) With reference to FIG. 2, an elevational view of the connector 10 with the gimbal shell or shell assembly 2 in the engaged configuration during use is shown. During use, the electrical connection is achieved between the internal recessing shell (5 in FIG. 4) and gimbal shell or shell assembly 2. In FIG. 2, the gimbal shell or shell assembly 2 is turned in the locked position so it is not removable.

(15) With reference to FIG. 3, an elevational view of the connector 10 with the shell assembly 2 in the disengaged configuration when not in use is shown. When the shell assembly 2 is disengaged, no electrical connection exists between internal recessing shell 5 and gimbal shell assembly 2. The shell assembly 2 can be removed or replaced installed and is ready to be turned back to engage with the spring captivation nut shell (4 in FIG. 4).

(16) With reference to FIG. 4, a right cross-sectional view of the connector is shown. The external mounting flange 1 provides a method to attach the umbilical assembly for electrical connection between aircraft and ordinance for example. The external mounting flange 1 provides a housing in which gimbal shell assembly 2 sits and pivots.

(17) The removable gimbal shell assembly 2 houses the external dielectric with electrical contacts 7. The shell assembly 2 provides the gimbal as well the engagement face.

(18) The spring captivation nut shell 4 acts as lower support on the out wave spring 3 and also acts as an engagement nut for the replaceable gimbal shell or shell assembly 2. The spring captivation nut shell 4, in one embodiment, can be the sole engagement point between the replaceable unit and the lower shell, internal recessing shell 5, and center nut 62. An internal recessing shell 5 houses internal dielectric with electrical contacts 7. When the center screw 61 is torqued in counter clockwise direction, the internal gimbal shell or shell assembly 2 recesses and disengages the electrical contacts 7.

(19) The wave spring 3 ensures the assembly sits flush after gimbal action. It provides constant load in all directions. A center captivating screw system or actuation system 6 provides an actuation system 6 in which the gimbal shell or shell 2 disengages. The actuation system 6 also pulls the assemblies together. The actuation system 6 may include a center screw 61 and a center nut 62.

(20) The electrical contacts 7 provide an electrical path for the signals and power to and from the aircraft and ordinance through pins 72 in sockets.

(21) An internal wave spring 8 prevents the internal recessing shell 5 from engaging with the upper shell assembly 102. The internal wave spring 8 prevents the lower shell 5 from engaging. The lower shell is the internal shell 5 that disengages by recessing. The internal wave spring 8 also aids in disengaging the lower contact assembly to overcome contact strength.

(22) An interfacial seal 9 provides an environmental seal between each contact when fully mated.

(23) With reference to FIG. 5, a portion of the cross-section of the connector 10 with the center screw 61 partially turned for disengagement is shown. As shown in FIG. 5.

(24) With reference to FIG. 6, a right perspective view of the external mounting flange 1 is shown in detail. A alignment key 23 aligns with the flange missile forward indicator 12 when in the closed position. As the center screw 61 is turned, and the shell or gimbal shell 2 is disengaged and rotated, space develops between the upper shell assembly 102 and lower contact assembly 5. The flange missile forward indicator 12 is turned away from the alignment key 23, which normally provides a visual indication of contact engagement when not being disengaged. A disengagement indicator 24 is a visual representation for removal or insertion of replaceable shell assembly 1 that aligns the shell or gimbal shell 2 for reassembly of the shell or gimbal shell 2. The replaceable shell assembly serves as the shell or gimbal shell 2. A flange is used for mounting of the full assembly or the full connector.

(25) With reference to FIG. 7, a right perspective view of the gimbal shell or shell assembly 2 is shown. A bayonet 21 provides engagement between replaceable shell 1 and spring captivation nut shell 4. An EMI O-ring 22 provides environmental protection as well as an electrical connection between the flange 1 and gimbal shell or shell 2.

(26) With reference to FIG. 8, a cross sectional view of the gimbal shell assembly 2 is shown. The center screw 61 is illustrated which protrudes from the bottom of the shell assembly 2.

(27) With reference to FIG. 9, a right perspective view of the spring captivation nut shell 4 is shown. Bayonet grooves 31 comprise grooves in which gimbal shell bayonets 21 slide to assemble the replaceable unit to the rest of the assembly. A spring shelf 32 supports the outer wave spring (3 in FIG. 4). An alignment groove 33 aligns the spring captivation nut shell 4 with bottom assembly and allows all bayonet grooves 31 to remain aligned with flange forward direction indicator 12.

(28) With reference to FIG. 10, a right perspective view of the internal recessing shell 5 is shown. The center nut 62 is the threaded member upon which the center screw 61 acts upon. When the center screw 61 is torqued it creates a downward force which disengages and lowers the internal recessing shell 5. The contact insert assembly 41 which also serves as the insulator and contact assembly, provides electrical path for the contacts 7 and provides contact alignment in accordance with insert arrangement dimensions. The contact alignment keys 43 provides alignment of the contacts 7 and shell 2 with the internal recessing shell 5. This key 7 also prevents the internal recessing shell 5 from turning out of alignment. The spring groove 44 is a surface that holds internal wave spring 8. The internal wave spring 8 prevents lower internal recessing assembly 4 from mating to the replaceable shell until it is fully engaged with the wave spring 8.

(29) Once the full connector assembly is installed in its final state within the customer assembly, the connector is now ready for use. In order to replace the gimbal assembly 2 the operator must first torque the center screw 61 counter clockwise to disengage the internal recessing shell 5. This will separate the contacts and disengage all electrical contact paths. Once the internal recessing shell 5 can no longer move further down, the gimbal assembly 2 can be disengaged by turning it clockwise 45 degrees so that it matches the configuration of FIG. 3 with the flange missile forward indicator 12 and the alignment key 23 at 45 degrees of offset. Once the alignment key 23 is aligned with the disengagement indicator 24, the bayonets 21 on the gimbal shell 2 assembly will slide out of the spring captivation bayonet grooves 31 releasing it from the rest of the assembly.

(30) To re-install gimbal shell assembly 2, the shell is placed with the flight forward key aligned with the disengagement notch 24 on the flange shell 1. Once the gimbal shell 2 is sitting in the flange 1, the center screw 61 is slightly torqued to grab the center nut on the internal recessing shell 5. Once the center screw 61 has grabbed, the bottom assembly as a whole will lift towards the gimbal shell 2 compressing the outer wave spring 3. The internal wave spring 8 shall ensure that the spring captivation shell 4 rises and the bayonets 21 engage with the bayonet groove. Once the bayonets 21 have been installed, the gimbal shell 2 can be turned 45 degrees counter clockwise to finish the assembly. Once the flight forward identifications 12 and 24 have lined up as in FIG. 2, the center screw 62 can be torqued clockwise to engage the electrical contacts. The torque applied on the center screw 61 will allow the internal recessing shell 5 to move upward, compressing the internal wave spring 8, and then the pins begin inserting into the sockets on the replaceable shell.

(31) The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made to the claimed invention without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims.