BLIND MATE CAPACITIVELY COUPLED CONNECTOR

Description

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates to electrical cable connectors. More particularly, the invention relates to connectors with a blind mateable capacitively coupled connection interface.

Description of Related Art

[0002] Coaxial cables are commonly utilized in RF communications systems. Coaxial cable connectors may be applied to terminate coaxial cables, for example, in communication systems requiring a high level of precision and reliability.

[0003] Connector interfaces provide a connect and disconnect functionality between a cable terminated with a connector bearing the desired connector interface and a corresponding connector with a mating connector interface mounted on an apparatus or a further cable. Prior coaxial connector interfaces typically utilize a retainer provided as a threaded coupling nut which draws the connector interface pair into secure electro-mechanical engagement as the coupling nut, rotatably retained upon one connector, is threaded upon the other connector.

[0004] Passive Intermodulation Distortion (PIM) is a form of electrical interference/signal transmission degradation that may occur with less than symmetrical interconnections and/or as electro-mechanical interconnections shift or degrade over time, for example due to mechanical stress, vibration, thermal cycling, and/or material degradation. PIM is an important interconnection quality characteristic as PIM generated by a single low quality interconnection may degrade the electrical performance of an entire RF system. Recent developments in RF coaxial connector design have focused upon reducing PIM by improving interconnections between the conductors of coaxial cables and the connector body and/or inner contact, for example by applying a molecular bond instead of an electro-mechanical interconnection, as disclosed in commonly owned US Patent Application Publication 2012/0129391, titled "Connector and Coaxial Cable with Molecular Bond Interconnection", by Kendrick Van Swearingen and James P. Fleming, published on 24 May 2012.

[0005] Connection interfaces may be provided with a blind mate characteristic to enable push-on interconnection wherein physical access to the connector bodies is restricted and/or the interconnected portions are linked in a manner where precise alignment is not cost effective, such as between an antenna and a transceiver that are coupled together via a swing arm or the like. To accommodate mis-alignment, a blind mate connector may be provided with lateral and/or longitudinal spring action to accommodate a limited degree of insertion mis-alignment. Prior blind mate connector assemblies may include one or more helical coil springs, which may increase the complexity of the resulting assembly and/or require additional assembly depth along the longitudinal axis.

[0006] Competition in the cable connector market has focused attention on improving interconnection performance and long term reliability of the interconnection. Further, reduction of overall costs, including materials, training and installation costs, is a significant factor for commercial success.

[0007] US5796315 discloses a plug and socket-type coaxial connector wherein mating cylindrical outer conductor interconnection surfaces are separated by dielectric spacers to provide electrical interconnection via capacitive coupling, only. Mating inner conductor surfaces are galvanically coupled with one another.

[0008] EP2065985 discloses a fixed coaxial connector and a floating keyed type multi-conductor data connector, both mounted upon a common support member. An interconnecton between the fixed coaxial connector and a mating coaxial connector aligns the assembly, while a floating characteristic of the multi-conductor data connector absorbs any misalignment between the multi-conductor data connector and a mating multi-conductor connector fixed with respect to the mating coaxial connector.

[0009] Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a coaxial connector that overcomes deficiencies in the prior art.

[0010] The characterizing portion of independent claim 1 discloses such a connector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, where like reference numbers in the drawing figures refer to the same feature or element and may not be described in detail for every drawing figure in which they appear and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Figure 1 is a schematic angled isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a connector with a capacitively coupled blind mate interconnection interface, showing a male portion aligned for coupling with a female portion.

Figure 2 is a schematic partial cut-away side view of the connector of Figure 1, demonstrated with the male portion and the female portion in the interlocked position.

Figure 3 is a schematic exploded isometric view of the connector of Figure 1, with blind mate retention assembly.

Figure 4 is a schematic isometric external view of the connector and blind mate retention assembly of Figure 3, in the interlocked position.

Figure 5 is a schematic partial cut-away side view of the connector and blind mate retention assembly of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a schematic isometric view of a float plate of the blind mate retention assembly of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a schematic exploded isometric view of an exemplary four connector embodiment, with individual female portions and a blind mate assembly.

Figure 8 is a schematic isometric view of the connector of Figure 6, aligned for interconnection.

Figure 9 is a schematic isometric view of another exemplary four connector embodiment in the interlocked position, with female portions with a monolithic mounting flange.

Figure 10 is a schematic isometric view of another exemplary four connector embodiment in the interlocked position, with female portions with a monolithic mounting flange.

Figure 11 is a schematic isometric view of another exemplary four connector embodiment in the interlocked position, with female portions with a monolithic mounting flange.

Figure 12 is a schematic partial cut-away side view of the connector of Figure 11, aligned for interconnection.

Figure 13 is a schematic partial cut-away side view of the connector of Figure 11, in the interlocked position.

Figure 14 is a close-up view of area A of Figure 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The inventors have recognized that PIM may be generated at, in addition to the interconnections between the inner and outer conductors of a coaxial cable and each coaxial connector, the electrical interconnections between the connector interfaces of mating coaxial connectors.

[0013] Further, threaded interconnection interfaces may be difficult to connect in high density/close proximity connector situations where access to the individual connector bodies is limited. Even where smaller diameter cables are utilized, standard quick connection interfaces such as BNC-type interconnections may provide unsatisfactory electrical performance with respect to PIM, as the connector body may pivot laterally along the opposed dual retaining pins and internal spring element, due to the spring contact applied between the male and female portions, according to the BNC interface specification. Further, although BNC-type interconnections may be quick connecting, the requirement of twist-engaging the locking collar prevents use of this connection interface where a blind mate is desired.

[0014] An exemplary embodiment of a blind mate connector interface, as shown in Figures 1-2, demonstrates a rigid connector interface where the male and female portions 8, 16 seat together along self-aligning generally conical mating surfaces at the interface end 14 of each.

[0015] One skilled in the art will appreciate that interface end 14 and cable end 15 are applied herein as identifiers for respective ends of both the connector and also of discrete elements of the connector assembly described herein, to identify same and their respective interconnecting surfaces according to their alignment along a longitudinal axis of the connector between an interface end 14 and a cable end 15 of each of the male and female portions 8, 16. When interconnected by the connector interface, the interface end 14 of the male portion 8 is coupled to the interface end 14 of the female portion 16.

[0016] The male portion 8 has a male outer conductor coupling surface 9, here demonstrated as a conical outer diameter seat surface 12 at the interface end 14 of the male portion 8. The male portion 8 is demonstrated coupled to a cable 6, an outer conductor 44 of the cable 6 inserted through a bore 48 of the male portion at the cable end 15 and coupled to a flare surface 50 at the interface end of the bore 48.

[0017] The female portion 16 is provided with an annular groove 28 open to the interface end 14. An outer sidewall 30 of the annular groove 28 is dimensioned to mate with the conical outer diameter seat surface 12 enabling self-aligning conical surface to conical surface mutual seating between the male and female portions 8, 16.

[0018] The male portion may further include a peripheral groove 10, open to the interface end 14, the peripheral groove 10 dimensioned to receive an outer diameter of the interface end 14 of the female portion 16. Thereby, the male outer conductor coupling surface 9 may extend from the peripheral groove 10 to portions of the male portion 8 contacting an inner sidewall 46 of the female portion 16, significantly increasing the surface area available for the male outer conductor coupling surface 9.

[0019] A polymeric support 55 may be sealed against a jacket of the cable 6 to provide both an environmental seal for the cable end 15 of the interconnection and a structural reinforcement of the cable 6 to male portion 8 interconnection.

[0020] An environmental seal may be applied by providing an annular seal groove 60 in the outer diameter seat surface 12, in which a seal 62 such as an elastometric o-ring or the like may be seated. Because of the conical mating between the outer diameter seat surface 12 and the outer side wall 30, the seal 62 may experience reduced insertion friction compared to that encountered when seals are applied between telescoping cylindrical surfaces, enabling the seal 62 to be slightly over-sized, which may result in an improved environmental seal between the outer diameter seat surface 12 and the outer side wall 30. A further seal 62 may be applied to an outer diameter of the female portion 16, for sealing against the outer sidewall of the peripheral groove 10, if present.

[0021] The inventor has recognized that, in contrast to traditional mechanical, solder and/or conductive adhesive interconnections, a molecular bond type interconnection may reduce aluminum oxide surface coating issues, PIM generation and/or improve long term interconnection reliability.

[0022] A "molecular bond" as utilized herein is defined as an interconnection in which the bonding interface between two elements utilizes exchange, intermingling, fusion or the like of material from each of two elements bonded together. The exchange, intermingling, fusion or the like of material from each of two elements generates an interface layer where the comingled materials combine into a composite material comprising material from each of the two elements being bonded together.

[0023] One skilled in the art will recognize that a molecular bond may be generated by application of heat sufficient to melt the bonding surfaces of each of two elements to be bonded together, such that the interface layer becomes molten and the two melted surfaces exchange material with one another. Then, the two elements are retained stationary with respect to one another, until the molten interface layer cools enough to solidify.

[0024] The resulting interconnection is contiguous across the interface layer, eliminating interconnection quality and/or degradation issues such as material creep, oxidation, galvanic corrosion, moisture infiltration and/or interconnection surface shift.

[0025] A molecular bond between the outer conductor 44 of the cable 6 and the male portion 8 may be generated via application of heat to the desired interconnection surfaces between the outer conductor 44 and the male portion 8, for example via laser or friction welding. Friction welding may be applied, for example, as spin and/or ultrasonic type welding.

[0026] A molecular bond between the male portion 8 and outer conductor 44 may be formed by inserting the prepared end of the cable 6 into the bore 48 so that the outer conductor 44 is flush with the interface end 14 of the bore 48, enabling application of a laser to the circumferential joint between the outer diameter of the outer conductor 44 and the inner diameter of the bore 48 at the interface end 14.

[0027] Alternatively, a molecular bond may be formed via ultrasonic welding by applying ultrasonic vibrations under pressure in a join zone between two parts desired to be welded together, resulting in local heat sufficient to plasticize adjacent surfaces that are then held in contact with one another until the interflowed surfaces cool, completing the molecular bond. An ultrasonic weld may be applied with high precision via a sonotrode and/or simultaneous sonotrode ends to a point and/or extended surface. Where a point ultrasonic weld is applied, successive overlapping point welds may be applied to generate a continuous ultrasonic weld. Ultrasonic vibrations may be applied, for example, in a linear direction and/or reciprocating along an arc segment, known as torsional vibration.

[0028] An outer conductor molecular bond with the male portion 8 via ultrasonic or laser welding is demonstrated in Figure 2. The flare surface 50 angled radially outward from the bore 48 toward the interface end 14 of the male portion 8 is open to the interface end 14 of the male portion 8, providing a mating surface to which a leading end flare of the outer conductor 44 may be ultrasonically welded by an outer conductor sonotrode of an ultrasonic welder inserted to contact the leading end flare from the interface end 14. Alternatively, the leading edge of the outer conductor 44 may be laser welded to the flare surface 50.

[0029] In alternative embodiments the interconnection between the cable 6 and the male and/or female portions 8, 16 may be applied more conventionally, for example utilizing clamp-type and/or soldered interconnections well known in the art.

[0030] Prior to interconnection, the leading end of the cable 6 may be prepared by cutting the cable 6 so that inner conductor(s) 63 extend from the outer conductor 44. Also, a dielectric material that may be present between the inner conductor(s) 63 and outer conductor 44 may be stripped back and a length of the outer jacket removed to expose desired lengths of each. The inner conductor 63 may be dimensioned to extend through the attached coaxial connector for direct interconnection with an inner conductor contact 71 of the female portion 16 as a part of the connection interface. Alternatively, for example where the connection interface selected requires an inner conductor profile that is not compatible with the inner conductor 63 of the selected cable 6 and/or the material of the inner conductor 63 is an undesired inner conductor connector interface material, such as aluminum, the inner conductor 63 may be provided with a desired male inner conductor surface 65 at the interface end of the male portion 8 by applying an inner conductor cap 64.

[0031] The inner conductor cap 64, best shown for example in Figure 2, may be formed from a metal such as brass, bronze or other desired metal. The inner conductor cap 64 may be applied with a molecular bond to the end of the inner conductor 63, also for example by friction welding such as spin or ultrasonic welding. The inner conductor cap 64 may be provided with a through bore or inner conductor socket at the cable end 15 and a desired inner conductor interface at the interface end 14. The inner conductor socket may be dimensioned to mate with a prepared end of an inner conductor 63 of the cable 6. To apply the inner conductor cap 64, the end of the inner conductor 63 may be prepared to provide a pin profile corresponding to the selected socket geometry of the inner conductor cap 64. To allow material inter-flow during welding attachment, the socket geometry of the inner conductor cap 64 and/or the end of the inner conductor 63 may be formed to provide a material gap when the inner conductor cap 64 is seated upon the prepared end of the inner conductor 63.

[0032] A rotation key may be provided upon the inner conductor cap 64, the rotation key dimensioned to mate with a spin tool or a sonotrode for rotating and/or torsionally reciprocating the inner conductor cap 64, for molecular bond interconnection via spin or ultrasonic friction welding.

[0033] Alternatively, the inner conductor cap 64 may be applied in a molecular bond via laser welding applied to a seam between the outer diameter of the inner conductor 63 and an outer diameter of the cable end 15 of the inner conductor cap 64 or from the interface end 14 between an outer diameter of the inner conductor and the inner diameter of the inner conductor cap bore.

[0034] The connection interface may be applied with conventional "physical contact" galvanic electro-mechanical coupling. To further eliminate PIM generation also with respect to the connection interface between the coaxial connectors, the connection interface may be enhanced to utilize capacitive coupling.

[0035] Capacitive coupling may be obtained by applying a dielectric spacer between the inner and/or outer conductor contacting surfaces of the connector interface. Capacitive coupling between spaced apart conductor surfaces eliminates the direct electrical current interconnection between these surfaces that is otherwise subject to PIM generation/degradation as described herein above with respect to cable conductor to connector interconnections.

[0036] One skilled in the art will appreciate that a capacitive coupling interconnection may be optimized for a specific operating frequency band. For example, the level of capacitive coupling between separated conductor surfaces is a function of the desired frequency band(s) of the electrical signal(s), the surface area of the separated conductor surfaces, the dielectric constant of a dielectric spacer and the thickness of the dielectric spacer (distance between the separated conductor surfaces).

[0037] The dielectric spacer may be applied, for example as shown in Figures 1 and 2, with respect to the outer conductor 44 as an outer conductor dielectric spacer 66 by covering at least the interface end 14 of the male outer conductor coupling surface 9 of the male portion 18 (the seating surface 12) with a dielectric coating. Similarly, the male inner conductor coupling surface 65, here the outer diameter of the inner conductor cap 64, may be covered with a dielectric coating to form an inner conductor dielectric spacer 68. Alternatively and/or additionaly, as known equivalents, the outer and inner conductor dielectric spacers 66, 68 may be applied to the applicable areas of the annular groove 28 and/or the inner conductor contact 71. Thereby, when the male portion 8 is secured within a corresponding female portion 16, an entirely capacitively coupled interconnection interface is formed. That is, there is no direct galvanic interconnection between the inner conductor or outer conductor electrical pathways across the connection interface.

[0038] The dielectric coatings of the outer and inner conductor dielectric spacers 66, 68 may be provided, for example, as a ceramic or polymer dielectric material. One example of a dielectric coating with suitable compression and thermal resistance characteristics that may be applied with high precision at very thin thicknesses is ceramic coatings. Ceramic coatings may be applied directly to the desired surfaces via a range of deposition processes, such as Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) or the like. Ceramic coatings have a further benefit of a high hardness characteristic, thereby protecting the coated surfaces from damage prior to interconnection and/or resisting thickness variation due to compressive forces present upon interconnection. The ability to apply extremely thin dielectric coatings, for example as thin as 0.5 microns, may reduce the surface area requirement of the separated conductor surfaces, enabling the overall dimensions of the connection interface to be reduced.

[0039] The inner conductor dielectric spacer 68 covering the male inner conductor surface here provided as the inner conductor cap 64 is demonstrated as a conical surface in Figures 1 and 2. The conical surface, for example applied at a cone angle corresponding to the cone angle of the male outer conductor coupling surface (conical seat surface 12), may provide an increased interconnection surface area and/or range of initial insertion angles for ease of initiating the interconnection and/or protection of the inner and outer conductor dielectric spacers 68,66 during initial mating for interconnection.

[0040] The exemplary embodiments are demonstrated with respect to a cable 6 that is an RF-type coaxial cable. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the connection interface may be similarly applied to any desired cable 6, for example multiple conductor cables, power cables and/or optical cables, by applying suitable conductor mating surfaces/individual conductor interconnections aligned within the bore 48 of the male and female portions 8, 16.

[0041] One skilled in the art will further appreciate that the connector interface provides a quick-connect rigid interconnection with a reduced number of discrete elements, which may simplify manufacturing and/or assembly requirements. Contrary to conventional connection interfaces featuring threads, the conical aspect of the seat surface 12 is generally self-aligning, allowing interconnection to be initiated without precise initial male to female portion 8, 16 alignment along the longitudinal axis.

[0042] Further blind mating functionality may be applied by providing the male portion 8 with a range of radial movement with respect to a longitudinal axis of the male portion 8. Thereby, slight misalignment between the male and female portions 8, 16 may be absorbed without binding the mating and/or damaging the male inner and outer conductor mating surfaces 65,9 during interconnection.

[0043] As shown for example in Figures 3 and 5, male portion radial movement with respect to the female portion 16 may be enabled by providing the male portion 8 supported radially movable upon a bias web 32 of a float plate 34, with respect to retaining structure that holds the male portion 8 and the female portion 16 in the mated/interlocked position.

[0044] As best shown in Figure 6, the float plate 34 may be provided as a planar element with the bias web 32 formed therein by a plurality of circuitous support arms 36. The support arms 36, here demonstrated as three support arms 36, may be provided generally equidistant from one another, here for example separated from one another by one hundred and twenty degrees. A bias web slot 38 may be provided between two of the support arms 36 for inserting the male portion 8 into the bias web 32. The bias web slot 38 mates with a retention groove 42 formed in the outer diameter of the male portion 8 (See Figure 2).

[0045] One skilled in the art will appreciate that the circuitous support arms 36 together form a spring biased to retain a male portion 8 seated in the bias web slot 38 central within the bias web 32 but with a range of radial movement. The level of spring bias applied is a function of the support arm cross section and characteristics of the selected float plate material, for example stainless steel. The planar characteristic of the float plate 34 enables cost efficient precision manufacture by stamping, laser cutting or the like.

[0046] As best shown in Figure 3, a shoulder plate 40 is provided seated against a cable end 15 of the float plate 34. The shoulder plate 40 is provided with a shoulder slot 41 dimensioned to receive a cable 6 coupled to the male portion 8. A proximal end of the shoulder slot 41 is provided with a connector aperture 43 dimensioned to receive a cable end 15 of the male portion 8 and allow the range or radial movement therein. As best shown in Figure 2, the male portion 8 has a stop shoulder 11 with an outer diameter greater than the connector aperture 43, inhibiting passage of the stop shoulder 11 therethrough. Thereby, the float plate 34 is sandwiched between the stop shoulder 11 and the shoulder plate 40, inhibiting movement of the male portion 8 toward the cable end 15 of the shoulder plate 40, away from interconnection with the female portion 16, but enabling the range of radial movement.

[0047] The float plate 34 and shoulder plate 40 are retained against one another by an overbody 58. The overbody 58 (formed as a unitary element or alternatively as an assembly comprising a frame, retaining plate and sealing portion), may be dimensioned to seat against a base 69 coupled to the female portion 16, coupling the float plate 34 to the female portion 16 to retain the male portion 8 and the female portion 16 in the interlocked position via at least one retainer 70, such as at least one clip coupled to the overbody that releasably engages the base 69. The base 69 may be formed integral with the female portion 16 or as an additional element, for example sandwiched between a mounting flange 53 of the female portion 16 and a bulkhead surface the female portion 16 may be mounted upon. The overbody and/or base may be cost efficiently formed with high precision of polymeric material with a dielectric characteristic, maintaining a galvanic break between the male portion 8 and the female portion 16. The seating of the overbody 58 against the base 69 may be environmentally sealed by applying one or more seals 62 between mating surfaces. A further seal member (not shown), may be applied to improve an environmental seal along a path past the shoulder and float plates 40, 34 associated with each male portion 8 and cable 6 extending therethrough.

[0048] One skilled in the art will appreciate that a combined assembly may be provided with multiple male portions 8 and a corresponding number of female portions 16, the male portions 8 seated within a multiple bias web float plate 34 and multiple connector aperture shoulder plate 40. For example as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the male portions may be arranged in a single row. Alternatively, the male portions may be arranged in a plurality of rows, in either columns (Figure 8) or a staggered configuration (Figure 9). The corresponding female portions may be provided as individual female portions each seated within the base (Figures 6 and 7) or formed with an integral mounting flange 53 (Figures 10-13) and/or base.

[0049] The range of radial movement enables the male portion(s) 8 to adapt to accumulated dimensional variances between linkages, mountings and/or associated interconnections such as additional ganged connectors, enabling, for example, swing arm blind mating between one or more male portion 8 and a corresponding number of female portion 16. Further, the generally conical mating surfaces provide an additional self-aligning seating characteristic that increases a minimum sweep angle before interference occurs, for example where initial insertion during mating is angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the final interconnection, due to swing arm based arc engagement paths.

[0050] The application of capacitive coupling to male and female portions 8, 16 which are themselves provided with molecular bond interconnections with continuing conductors, can enable a blind mateable quick connect/disconnect RF circuit that may be entirely without PIM.

Table of Parts

8	male portion
9	male outer conductor coupling surface
10	peripheral groove
11	stop shoulder
12	seat surface
14	interface end
15	cable end
16	female portion
28	annular groove
30	outer sidewall
32	bias web
34	float plate
36	support arm
38	bias web slot
40	shoulder plate
41	shoulder slot
42	retention groove
43	connector aperture
44	outer conductor
46	inner sidewall
48	bore
50	flare surface
53	mounting flange
55	support
58	overbody
60	seal groove
62	seal
63	inner conductor
64	inner conductor cap
65	male inner conductor coupling surface
66	outer conductor dielectric spacer
68	inner conductor dielectric spacer
69	base
70	retainer
71	inner conductor contact

[0051] While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departure from the scope of the appended claims. Further, it is to be appreciated that modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A connector with a capacitively coupled connector interface for interconnection with a female portion (16) provided with an annular groove (28), with a sidewall (30), open to an interface end (14) of the female portion (16), comprising:

a male portion (8) provided with a male outer conductor coupling surface (9) at an interface end (14); wherein

the male outer conductor coupling surface (9) covered by an outer conductor dielectric spacer (66);

the male outer conductor coupling surface (9) dimensioned to seat, spaced apart from the sidewall (30) by the outer conductor dielectric spacer (66), within the annular groove (28), when the male portion (8) and the female portion (16) are in an interlocked position;

characterized in that
the male portion (8) is retained with a range of radial movement, with respect to a longitudinal axis of the male portion (8), by a bias web (32) of a float plate (34); and

a retainer (70) coupled to the float plate (34) retains the male portion (8) and the female portion (16) in the interlocked position.

2. The connector of claim 1, further including a shoulder plate (40) provided on a cable end (15) side of the float plate (34).

3. The connector of claim 2, further including an overbody (58) retaining the float plate (34) and the shoulder plate (40) against one another; the overbody (58) dimensioned to seat against a base (69) of the female portion (16).

4. The connector of claim 3, wherein the retainer (70) is at least one clip coupled to the overbody (58) that releasably engages the base (69).

5. The connector of claim 2, wherein the male portion (8) is provided with an outer diameter retention groove (42) and the float plate (34) is provided with a bias web slot (38); the retention groove (42) dimensioned to receive the float plate (34) along the bias web slot (38), seating the male portion (8) within the bias web (32).

6. The connector of claim 2, wherein the shoulder plate (40) has a shoulder slot (41) dimensioned to receive a cable coupled to the male portion (8) and a proximal end of the shoulder slot (41) has a connector seat dimensioned to receive a cable end (15) of the male portion (8).

7. The connector of claim 6, wherein the float plate (40) seats against a stop shoulder (11) of the male portion (8), the stop shoulder (11) having an outer diameter greater than a connector aperture (43), inhibiting passage of the stop shoulder (11) therethrough.

8. The connector of claim 1, further including a seal groove (60) provided in the male outer conductor coupling surface (9), in which a seal (62) is seated.

9. The connector of claim 1, wherein the male portion (8) is coupled to an outer conductor (44) of a cable by a molecular bond between the outer conductor (44) and the male portion (8).

10. The connector of claim 1, further including a male inner conductor surface (65) at the interface end (14) of the male portion (8);

an inner conductor dielectric spacer (68) covering the male inner conductor surface (65);

the male inner conductor surface (65) spaced apart from a female inner conductor surface at the interface end (14) of the female portion (16), coaxial with the annular groove (28), by the inner conductor dielectric spacer (68), when the male portion (8) and the female portion (16) are in the interlocked position.

11. The connector of claim 1, wherein the at least one male portion (8) is four male portions (8), the bias web (32) provided as four portions of the float plate (34), each portion corresponding to one of the male portions (8); and; the male portions are connectable to the at least one female portion (16) provided as four female portions (16) with a monolithic base flange (53).

12. The connector of claim 1, wherein the male portion (8) is provided with a peripheral groove (10), open to the interface end (14); the peripheral groove (10) dimensioned to receive an outer diameter of the female portion (16).

13. The connector of claim 1, wherein the bias web (32) is three circuitous support arms (36) positioned generally equidistant from one another.

14. The connector of claim 5, wherein the bias web (32) is three support arms positioned generally equidistant from one another, the bias web slot (38) provided between two of the support arms (36).

15. The connector of claim 1, wherein the outer conductor dielectric spacer (66) is a layer of ceramic material upon the outer conductor coupling surface (9).

16. The connector of claim 15, wherein the ceramic material is applied by physical vapor deposition upon the seating surface (12).

17. The connector of claim 10, wherein the inner conductor dielectric spacer (68) is a layer of ceramic material upon the inner conductor coupling surface.

Ansprüche

1. Verbinder mit einer kapazitiv gekoppelten Verbindungsschnittstelle zur Verbindung mit einem weiblichen Abschnitt (16), der mit einer ringförmigen Nut (28) versehen ist, mit einer Seitenwand (30), die zu einem Schnittstellenende (14) des weiblichen Abschnitts (16) offen ist, umfassend:

einen männlichen Abschnitt (8), der an einem Schnittstellenende (14) mit einer Kopplungsfläche des männlichen Außenleiters (9) versehen ist;
wobei

die Kopplungsfläche des männlichen Außenleiters (9) durch einen dielektrischen Abstandhalter des Außenleiters (66) bedeckt ist;

die Kopplungsfläche des männlichen Außenleiters (9) derart bemessen ist, dass sie durch den dielektrischen Abstandhalter des Außenleiters (66) von der Seitenwand (30) beabstandet in der ringförmigen Nut (28) sitzt, wenn sich der männliche Abschnitt (8) und der weibliche Abschnitt (16) in einer gekuppelten Position befinden,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass

der männliche Abschnitt (8) durch eine Vorspannungsstruktur (32) einer Schwimmplatte (34) mit einem radialen Bewegungsbereich in Bezug auf die Längsachse des männlichen Abschnitts (8) gehalten wird; und

ein mit der Schwimmplatte (34) gekoppeltes Halteelement (70) den männlichen Abschnitt (8) und den weiblichen Abschnitt (16) in der gekuppelten Position hält.

2. Verbinder nach Anspruch 1, ferner umfassend eine Schulterplatte (40), die an der Seite eines Kabelendes (15) der Schwimmplatte (34) vorgesehen ist.

3. Verbinder nach Anspruch 2, ferner umfassend einen Überkörper (58), der die Schwimmplatte (34) und die Schulterplatte (40) aneinanderdrückt; wobei der Überkörper (58) derart bemessen ist, dass er an einer Basis (69) des weiblichen Abschnitts (16) anliegt.

4. Verbinder nach Anspruch 3, wobei das Halteelement (70) wenigstens ein mit dem Überkörper (58) gekoppelter Clip ist, der lösbar in Eingriff mit der Basis (69) steht.

5. Verbinder nach Anspruch 2, wobei der männliche Abschnitt (8) mit einer Außendurchmesser-Rückhaltenut (42) versehen ist und die Schwimmplatte (34) mit einem Vorspannungsstruktur-Schlitz (38) versehen ist; wobei die Rückhaltenut (42) derart bemessen ist, dass sie die Schwimmplatte (34) entlang des Vorspannungsstruktur-Schlitzes (38) aufnimmt, wodurch der männliche Abschnitt (8) in der Vorspannungsstruktur (32) untergebracht wird.

6. Verbinder nach Anspruch 2, wobei die Schulterplatte (40) einen Schulterschlitz (41) aufweist, der derart bemessen ist, dass er ein Kabel aufnimmt, das mit dem männlichen Abschnitt (8) gekoppelt ist, und wobei ein proximales Ende des Schulterschlitzes (41) einen Verbindersitz aufweist, der derart bemessen ist, dass er ein Kabelende (15) des männlichen Abschnitts (8) aufnimmt.

7. Verbinder nach Anspruch 6, wobei die Schwimmplatte (34) an einer Anschlagschulter (11) des männlichen Abschnitts (8) anliegt, wobei die Anschlagschulter (11) einen Außendurchmesser aufweist, der größer als eine Verbinderöffnung (43) ist, wodurch verhindert wird, dass die Anschlagschulter (11) durch diese hindurchgeht.

8. Verbinder nach Anspruch 1, ferner umfassend eine Dichtungsnut (60), die in der Kopplungsfläche des männlichen Außenleiters (9) vorgesehen ist und in der eine Dichtung (62) untergebracht ist.

9. Verbinder nach Anspruch 1, wobei der männliche Abschnitt (8) durch eine molekulare Bindung zwischen einem Außenleiter (44) und dem männlichen Abschnitt (8) mit einem Außenleiter (44) eines Kabels gekoppelt ist.

10. Verbinder nach Anspruch 1, ferner umfassend eine männliche Innenleiterfläche (65) am Schnittstellenende (14) des männlichen Abschnitts (8);
wobei ein dielektrischer Abstandhalter des Innenleiters (68) die männliche Innenleiterfläche (65) bedeckt;
wobei die männliche Innenleiterfläche (65) am Schnittstellenende (14) des weiblichen Abschnitts (16) koaxial mit der ringförmigen Nut (28) durch den dielektrischen Abstandhalter des Innenleiters (68) von einer weiblichen Innenleiterfläche beabstandet ist, wenn der männliche Abschnitt (8) und der weibliche Abschnitt (16) in der gekuppelten Position sind.

11. Verbinder nach Anspruch 1, wobei es sich bei dem wenigstens einen männlichen Abschnitt (8) um vier männliche Abschnitte (8) handelt, wobei die Vorspannungsstruktur (32) als vier Abschnitte der Schwimmplatte (34) vorgesehen ist, wobei jeder Abschnitt einem der männlichen Abschnitte (8) entspricht; und wobei die männlichen Abschnitte mit dem wenigstens einen weiblichen Abschnitt (16) verbindbar sind, der als vier weibliche Abschnitte (16) in einem monolithischen Basisflansch (53) vorgesehen ist.

12. Verbinder nach Anspruch 1, wobei der männliche Abschnitt (8) mit einer Umfangsnut (10) versehen ist, die zum Schnittstellenende (14) offen ist; wobei die Umfangsnut (10) derart bemessen ist, dass sie einen Außendurchmesser des weiblichen Abschnitts (16) aufnimmt.

13. Verbinder nach Anspruch 1, wobei es sich bei der Vorspannungsstruktur (32) um drei gewundene Stützarme (36) handelt, die im Allgemeinen in gleichem Abstand voneinander positioniert sind.

14. Verbinder nach Anspruch 5, wobei es sich bei der Vorspannungsstruktur (32) um der Stützarme handelt, die im Allgemeinen in gleichem Abstand voneinander positioniert sind, wobei der Verbindungsstruktur-Schlitz (38) zwischen zwei der Stützarme (36) vorgesehen ist.

15. Verbinder nach Anspruch 1, wobei es sich bei dem dielektrischen Abstandhalter des Außenleiters (66) um eine Schicht aus Keramikmaterial auf der Kopplungsfläche des männlichen Außenleiters (9) handelt.

16. Verbinder nach Anspruch 15, wobei das Keramikmaterial durch physikalische Dampfabscheidung auf der Sitzfläche (12) aufgebracht ist.

17. Verbinder nach Anspruch 10, wobei es sich bei dem dielektrischen Abstandhalter des Innenleiters (68) um eine Schicht aus Keramikmaterial auf der Kopplungsfläche des Innenleiters handelt.

Revendications

1. Connecteur avec une interface de connecteur accouplée de façon capacitive, pour l'interconnexion avec une partie femelle (16) pourvue d'une rainure annulaire (28), avec une paroi latérale (30), ouverte sur une extrémité d'interface (14) de la partie femelle (16), comprenant :

une partie mâle (8) pourvue d'une surface d'accouplement de conducteur extérieur mâle (9) à une extrémité d'interface (14) ;
dans lequel

la surface d'accouplement de conducteur extérieur mâle (9) est recouverte par un espaceur diélectrique de conducteur extérieur (66) ;

la surface d'accouplement de conducteur extérieur mâle (9) est dimensionnée pour reposer dans la rainure annulaire (28), espacée de la paroi latérale (30) par l'espaceur diélectrique de conducteur extérieur (66), lorsque la partie mâle (8) et la partie femelle (16) sont dans une position inter-verrouillée ;
caractérisé en ce que

la partie mâle (8) est retenue dans une plage de mouvement radial, par rapport à un axe longitudinal de la partie mâle (8), par une toile de contrainte (32) d'une plaque libre (34) ; et

un dispositif de retenue (70) accouplé à la plaque libre (34) retient la partie mâle (8) et la partie femelle (16) dans la position inter-verrouillée.

2. Connecteur selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre une plaque d'épaulement (40) prévue sur un côté d'extrémité de câble (15) de la plaque libre (34).

3. Connecteur selon la revendication 2, comprenant en outre un sur-corps (58) maintenant la plaque libre (34) et la plaque d'épaulement (40) l'une contre l'autre ; le sur-corps (58) étant dimensionné de manière à s'appliquer contre une base (69) de la partie femelle (16).

4. Connecteur selon la revendication 3, dans lequel le dispositif de retenue (70) est au moins un clip accouplé au sur-corps (58), lequel engage la base (69) de manière amovible.

5. Connecteur selon la revendication 2, dans lequel la partie mâle (8) est pourvue d'une rainure de retenue de diamètre extérieur (42) et la plaque libre (34) est pourvue d'une fente de toile de contrainte (38) ; la rainure de retenue (42) étant dimensionnée pour recevoir la plaque libre (34) le long de la fente de toile de contrainte (38), enfonçant la partie mâle (8) dans la toile de contrainte (32).

6. Connecteur selon la revendication 2, dans lequel la plaque d'épaulement (40) comporte une fente d'épaulement (41) dimensionnée pour recevoir un câble accouplé à la partie mâle (8), et une extrémité proximale de la fente d'épaulement (41) comporte un siège de connecteur dimensionné pour recevoir une extrémité de câble (15) de la partie mâle (8).

7. Connecteur selon la revendication 6, dans lequel la plaque libre (34) repose contre un épaulement d'arrêt (11) de la partie mâle (8), l'épaulement d'arrêt (11) présentant un diamètre extérieur plus grand qu'un orifice de connecteur (43), empêchant le passage de l'épaulement d'arrêt (11) à travers celle-ci.

8. Connecteur selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre une rainure de joint d'étanchéité (60) prévue dans la surface d'accouplement de conducteur extérieur mâle (9), dans laquelle repose un joint d'étanchéité (62).

9. Connecteur selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la partie mâle (8) est accouplée à un conducteur extérieur (44) d'un câble par une liaison moléculaire entre le conducteur extérieur (44) et la partie mâle (8).

10. Connecteur selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre une surface conductrice intérieure mâle (65) à l'extrémité d'interface (14) de la partie mâle (8) ;
un espaceur diélectrique de conducteur intérieur (68) recouvrant la surface conductrice intérieure mâle (65) ;
la surface conductrice intérieure mâle (65) étant espacée d'une surface conductrice intérieure femelle à l'extrémité d'interface (14) de la partie femelle (16), coaxiale à la rainure annulaire (28), par l'espaceur diélectrique de conducteur intérieur (68), lorsque la partie mâle (8) et la partie femelle (16) sont dans la position inter-verrouillée.

11. Connecteur selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'au moins une partie mâle (8) consiste en quatre parties mâles (8), la toile de contrainte (32) consistant en quatre parties de la plaque libre (34), chaque partie correspondant à l'une des parties mâles (8) ; et
les parties mâles peuvent être connectées à l'au moins une partie femelle (16) consistant en quatre parties femelles (16) avec un rebord de base monolithique (53).

12. Connecteur selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la partie mâle (8) est pourvue d'une rainure périphérique (10), ouverte vers l'extrémité d'interface (14) ; la rainure périphérique (10) étant dimensionnée pour recevoir un diamètre extérieur de la partie femelle (16).

13. Connecteur selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la toile de contrainte (32) consiste en trois bras de support courbes (36) positionnés généralement à une même distance les uns des autres.

14. Connecteur selon la revendication 5, dans lequel la toile de contrainte (32) consiste en trois bras de support positionnés généralement à une même distance les uns des autres, la fente de toile de contrainte (38) étant prévue entre deux des bras de support (36).

15. Connecteur selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'espaceur diélectrique de conducteur extérieur (66) est une couche de matériau céramique recouvrant la surface d'accouplement de conducteur extérieur (9).

16. Connecteur selon la revendication 15, dans lequel le matériau céramique est appliqué par dépôt de vapeur physique sur la surface d'appui (12).

17. Connecteur selon la revendication 10, dans lequel l'espaceur diélectrique de conducteur extérieur (68) est une couche de matériau céramique recouvrant la surface d'accouplement de conducteur intérieur.

Drawing