Title of Invention

AN UNDERWATER ELECTRO-MECHANICAL CONNECTOR

Abstract

This invention relates to an underwater electro mechanical connector comprising of a plug shell assembly coupled to a receptacle shell assembly by a coupling ring (3), said plug shell assembly comprising a plug shell (4) characterised in that is housing pin contact insert assembly (8) and secured to plug back shell (5) and the receptacle shell assembly comprising a receptacle shell (2) housing a socket contact insert assembly (9) and secured to a receptacle back shell (1) and wherein both the plug and receptacle shell assemblies have back shell interfaces (6, 11) for termination of tensile load carrying members and wherein further plug shell assembly has diametrical sealing with receptacle shell assembly through sealing rings (7) said coupling ring (3) having internal threads (26) matching with external threads (12) of plug back shell (5) for engaging the contacts.

Full Text

FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to an inter-module underwater electro-mechanical connector for applications like towed array sonar, towed bodies, static underwater systems, underwater remotely operated vehicles, oil exploration and seismic systems. PRIOR ART Underwater electrical connectors are used in both static and dynamic systems for signal data as well as power transmission. Electro-mechanical connectors are electrical connectors which can withstand axial loads also. Since the connectors have to operate at different depths in the ocean, they have to withstand external hydrostatic pressure. In towed array sonar application, these are used to terminate fluid filled modules wherein the connector back shells have to withstand the same external pressure transmitted through the fill fluid. One of the electro-mechanical connector known in art, as per US patent no. 4880390, is a pressure-compensated inter-module towed array connector, which comprises a pair of headers or coupling halves which couple a pair of module hoses together, wherein the hoses house the electrical and other conductors and also contain an insulating fill fluid. The electrical conductors terminate in connectors which interface at their mating faces. A disadvantage of the above connector is that there is always a loss of fill fluid through the contact face, each time the mating / de mating process is carried out, which necessitates refilling of fluid, each time the connector is assembled and also wetting of the surface due to loss of fluid makes the assembly inconvenient to handle. Another disadvantage of the above connector is that complete filling of the fluid at the mating surface is not possible due to inherent fluid filling design problems due to which there is a pressure differential which in turn reduces the reliability of the connector. Still another disadvantage of the above connector is that during deployment of the connector for underwater applications in ocean, large temperature variations across the depth of the ocean result in variations in the volume of the fill fluid getting filled inside the connector at different depths, which creates a differential pressure which in turn reduces the reliability of the connector. Another connector known in the prior art, as per US patent no. 4346954, comprises of male and female sections wherein each connector section includes a light weight bulk head member which is sealed. One of the bulk head member includes a pair of miniature check valves which are oppositely directed and the other includes a fill port for filling fluid so that the external pressure is balanced by the internal pressure. A disadvantage of the above connector is that the check valves malfunction resulting in differential pressure at the contact surface which adversely affects the reliability of the connector. Another disadvantage of the above connector is that loss of fill fluid takes place through the contact face, each time the mating / de mating process is carried out which necessitates refilling of the fluid and also wetting of the connector due to fluid loss makes the connector inconvenient to handle. Still another disadvantage of the above connector is that complete filling of the fluid at the mating surface is not possible due to inherent fluid filling design problems due to which there is a pressure differential which in turn reduces the reliability of the connector. The disadvantage of the above connector is that the axial load transfer is member to which are attached a plurality of high strength ropes which connected to unequal loading, cause premature failure of the connector. Connector known in the prior art, as per US patent 3,997,230, the surfaces of the coupling members at the outside ends, have a plurality of when adjacent sections are joined, these conductor tracks are pressed a result of the forces exerted by flexible plastic spacers which about shoulders of the coupling members and the connector, urging the Still another object of the present invention is to provide an underwater electro-mechanical connector with streamlined exterior profile for reduced flow noise generation. Further object of the present invention is to provide an underwater electro-mechanical connector which is self aligning. Yet further object of the present invention is to provide an underwater electro-mechanical connector which has built-in polarization. Still further object of the present invention is to provide an underwater electro-mechanical connector with an improved performance reliability. STATEMENT OF INVENTION According to this invention there is provided an underwater electro mechanical connector comprising of a plug shell assembly coupled to a receptacle shell assembly by a coupling ring, said plug shell assembly comprising a plug shell characterised in that is housing pin contact insert assembly and secured to plug back shell and the receptacle shell assembly comprising a receptacle shell housing a socket contact insert assembly and secured to a receptacle back shell and wherein both the plug and receptacle shell assemblies have back shell interfaces for termination of tensile load carrying members and wherein further plug shell assembly has diametrical sealing with receptacle shell assembly through sealing rings said coupling ring having internal threads matching with external threads of plug back shell for engaging the contacts. The present invention provides an underwater electro mechanical electrical connector which overcomes the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art. The connector of the present invention has got a dry pin-socket interface and hence no filling of fluid is required during assembly. The present invention utilizes an arrangement whereby the insert assembly is positively held in position with the help of back shell tightening. The insert is polarized and locked in position using projecting keys and a collar on the insert assembly. This design totally prevents use of any insert fixing screw or penetration on the insert assembly. The smooth exterior surface of the insert assembly is also used for diametrical sealing against the fill fluid from the module assembly. The back shell on tightening, locks the insert in both the plug and receptacle shell housings. The axial load due to towing is transferred from plug back shell to receptacle back shell through the coupling ring or vice versa. The design ensures that under operating conditions, no axial load act on the insert assembly. The insert assembly when secured inside the plug and receptacle shells have diametrical sealing with the inside of the shell surface to withstand internal fluid pressure. The insert assembly has got rear face potting to prevent fluid ingress through the surface of the pigtail wires. The new insert assembly design also ensures sealing of fill fluid leaking between the sheath and conductors of individual wires. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES The new insert assembly design also ensures sealing of fill fluid leaking between the sheath and conductors of individual wires. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES The invention will now be illustrated with drawings. It is to be understood that the accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of the present invention. The drawings are not intended to be taken restrictively to imply any limitation on the scope of the present invention. The features and principles of the present invention can be employed in different embodiments of the present invention through adaptations, changes, modifications by those skilled in the art. Such embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:- Figl Fig 2 Fig 3 Fig 4 (a) Fig 4 (b) Fig 5 Fig 6 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention is a cross-sectional view of Receptacle assembly is a cross-sectional view of plug shell assembly shows the plug back shell sectional view shows plug back shell side view shows the insert assembly and pig tails shows 'the coupling ring sectional and side view DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION W.R.T. DRAWINGS Referring to fig 1, The electro-mechanical connector of the present invention comprises of plug shell assembly, receptacle shell assembly and coupling ring (3). The plug shell assembly further comprises of plug shell (4) pin contact insert assembly (8) and plug back shell (5). Plug shell (4) houses the pin contact insert assembly (8). Pin contact insert assembly comprises of pin contacts, insert for pin contacts, insert back shell and pig tail wires. Receptacle shell assembly comprises of receptacle shell (2), socket contact insert assembly (9) and receptacle back shell (1). The receptacle shell (2) houses the socket contact insert assembly (9). Socket contact insert assembly comprises of socket contacts, insert for socket contacts, insert back shell and pig tail wires. Plug back shell (5) is secured to the plug shell (4) and receptacle back shell (1) is secured to the. receptacle shell (2). Plug shell assembly has got dimetrical sealing (7) against external hydrostatic pressure with receptacle shell assembly. The plug back shell (5) has six identical tapped holes (6) and" receptacle back shell (1) have 6 nos of identical tapped holes (11) for anchoring of tensile load carrying member.with receptacle shell assembly. The plug back shell (5) has got external ACME threads (12) for engaging the receptacle assembly when the connector is mated. The coupling ring (3) is assembled using this thread (12). The engagement of the pin contact insert assembly (8) and socket contact insert assembly (9) is ensured when the coupling ring (3) butts against the collar (27) of the back shell (5). The coupling ring is locked in that position using locking clamps (10). Referring to fig, 2, three metallic polarization' key ways (13) are provided in the receptacle shell housing (2). Another groove is provided on the socket contact insert assembly (9) position to accommodate a diametrical sealing 'O'-ring (14). This on engagement with the socket contact insert assembly (9) seals against the fluid which applies internal pressure at the connector back shells. The receptacle back shell (1) has an external groove (15) for assembly of outer hose. Referring to fig. 3, the three metallic keys (16) have unequal angles for visual polarisation. The plug shell surface (4) is also provided with an air escape conduit (17) for the entrapped air to escape while engaging the contacts. The plug back shell (5) has external grooves (18) for assembly of outer hose. The pig tail wires (19) come out through the plug back shell (5) of the plug assembly. Referring to fig 4(a) and 4(b), the tapped holes (6) are provided for anchoring the strength member for axial load transfer. The clearance (28) is given for housing a metallic assembly which carries the strength member. The clearance is also used for running the pig tail wires (19) from both pin and socket contact insert assembly (8,9). Referring to fig. 5, the insert assemblies (both pin contact insert assemby (8) and socket contact insert assembly (9) are moulded assemblies fabricated out of Di allyl pthalate, a di-electric material. Both the pin contact insert assembly(8) and socket contact insert assembly (9) have got collar (20) for fitment inside the plug shell (4) and receptacle shell (5). The contacts (21) are molded inside the die electric material (22). The assembly has got polarising keys (23) which position inside the plug back shell (5) and recetpacle back shell (1). The rear face of both pin contact insert assembly (8) and socket contact insert assembly (9) are also potted (24) against internal fluid pressure. The insert assembly has got additional internal potting at the contact-pig tail crimp area (25) which seals any fluid ingress coming through the space between conductor strands and wire jackets. Referring to fig. 6, the coupling ring (3) has got matching internal threads (26) which engage with the plug back shell(5). Due to the engagement force, 'C'-spanners are used for final tightening of the plug shell assembly and receptacle shell assembly. It is to be understood that the present invention is susceptible to modifications, changes and adaptations by those skilled in the art. Such modifications, changes, adaptations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention which is further set forth under the following claims:- I CLAIM: 1. An underwater electro mechanical connector comprising of a plug shell assembly coupled to a receptacle shell assembly by a coupling ring (3), said plug shell assembly comprising a plug shell (4) characterised in that is housing pin contact insert assembly (8) and secured to plug back shell (5) and the receptacle shell assembly comprising a receptacle shell (2) housing a socket contact insert assembly (9) and secured to a receptacle back shell (1) and wherein both the plug and receptacle shell assemblies have back shell interfaces (6, 11) for termination of tensile load carrying members and wherein further plug shell assembly has diametrical sealing with receptacle shell assembly through sealing rings (7) said coupling ring (3) having internal threads (26) matching with external threads (12) of plug back shell (5) for engaging the contacts. 2. An underwater electro mechanical connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the back shell interface provided on plug back shell (3) and receptacle back shell (1) to secure the pin contact insert assembly (8) and socket contact insert assembly (9) on the respective collar (20). 3. An underwater electro-mechanical connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pin contact insert assembly (8) and socket contact insert assembly (9) have an 'O'-ring sealing interface (14) with plug shell (4) and receptacle shell (2) to withstand internal fluid pressure. 4. An underwater electro-mechanical connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pin contact insert assembly (8) and socket contact insert assembly (9) have 3 rear face potting (24) to withstand internal pressure. 5. An underwater electro-mechanical connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pin contact insert assembly (8) and socket contact insert assembly (9) have internal porting at the contact crimp area with pig tail (25) to withstand internal pressure transmitted between conductor strands and pigtail jacket. 6. An underwater electro mechanical connector as claimed in claim 1 where-in plug back shell (5) has tapped holes (6) for securing a metallic member for termination of tensile load. 7. An underwater electro mechanical connector as claimed in claim 1 where-in receptacle back shell (1) has identical tapped holes (11) for securing a metallic member for termination of tensile load. 8. An underwater electro mechanical connector as claimed in claim 1 where-in plug back shell (5) has symmetrical openings (28) for bunching and routing of pig tail wires. 9. An underwater electro mechanical connector as claimed in claim 1 where-in receptacle back shell (1) has identical openings (28) for bunching and routing of pig tail wires. 10. An underwater electro mechanical connector as claimed in claim 1 where-in the pin contact insert assembly (8) and socket contact insert assembly(9) have polarising keys (23) for securing inside the plug shell (4) and receptacle shell (2). 11. An underwater electro mechanical connector as claimed in claim 1 where-in plug back shell (5) has, tapped holes (6) for securing a metallic member to terminate a plurality of strength member ropes. 12. An underwater electro mechanical connector as claimed in claim 1 where-in the pin contact insert assembly (8) and socket contact insert assembly (9) is preferably made out of Di- allyl pthalate insulator (DAP). 13. An underwater electro mechanical connector as claimed in claim 1 where-in the pin contact insert assembly (8) and socket contact insert assembly (9) has moulded in pig tails (19) of finite length coming out of the connector back shell. 14. An underwater electro mechanical connector as claimed in claim 1 where-in the said plug shell (4), plug back shell (5), receptacle shell (2), receptacle back shell (1), and coupling ring (3) are fabricated out titanium grade 5 alloy material. ' 15. An underwater electro mechanical connector as claimed in claim 1 where-in the pin contact insert assembly (8) and socket contact insert assembly (9) engage only after the metallic polarising keys(16) of plug shell assy engage with the respective key ways (13) on receptacle shell assembly. 16. An underwater electro mechanical connector as claimed in claim 1 where-in the said mating of pin contact insert assembly (8) and socket contact insert assembly (9) is complete when the receptacle shell (2) positively butts against the collar (27) in the plug back shell (5). 17. An underwater electro mechanical connector as claimed in claim 1 where-in the plug back shell (5) and receptacle back shell (1) have got external grooves (15,18) for external clamping of hose material in module assembly. as herein 18. An underwater electro mechanical connector substantially /described and illustrated

Documents:

876-DEL-2002-Abstract-(25-10-2007).pdf

876-del-2002-abstract.pdf

876-DEL-2002-Claims-(25-10-2007).pdf

876-del-2002-claims.pdf

876-del-2002-Correspondence Others-(30-03-2012).pdf

876-DEL-2002-Correspondence-Others-(25-10-2007).pdf

876-del-2002-correspondence-others.pdf

876-del-2002-correspondence-po.pdf

876-DEL-2002-Description (Complete)-(25-10-2007).pdf

876-del-2002-description (complete).pdf

876-del-2002-drawings.pdf

876-del-2002-form-1.pdf

876-del-2002-form-18.pdf

876-del-2002-form-2.pdf

876-DEL-2002-Form-3-(25-10-2007).pdf

876-del-2002-form-3.pdf

876-del-2002-Petition-138-(30-03-2012).pdf