Electricity: conductors and insulators – Insulators – Special application
Reexamination Certificate
1996-01-05
2001-10-09
Paladini, Albert W. (Department: 2841)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Insulators
Special application
C174S07500C, C174S082000, C174S085000, C439S519000, C439S521000, C439S901000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06300574
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a cap which fits over one electrical terminal and which seals itself to a mating electrical terminal to inhibit corrosion.
2. Description of Related Art
The concept of an information highway is now developing into hardware which will provide wide bandwidth service to every home and office in the telephone loop plant. The location of this hardware places environmental burdens upon network interface units, particularly with respect to corrosion and its effect upon error free operation. These units, which interconnect the loop plant to interior circuitry must withstand wide temperature excursions and the effects of contamination and moisture. The contaminating species may be air-borne, such as corrosive gases, or they may be particulate contamination, which may become dissolved in water from rain or condensation. Temperature excursions which permit early morning condensation have been found to be particularly offensive because the amount of water is small and the concentration of contaminants is high. Dissolution of some of the contaminate material then forms an acid which corrodes electrical terminals.
Reducing cost is another factor to ensure the universal acceptance of wide-bandwidth systems, so inexpensive connectors have been developed which are intended for indoor use. These are commonly known as “F-type” connectors, and because of their low cost and wide availability; they have also been used in external applications, with unreliable results.
Attempts have been made to protect these connectors by covering them with a cap to exclude the environment, particularly during shipment and installation. The caps are removed upon installation, but corrosive gases and ionic contamination still seep through the threads of the F-type connector and corrode the center conductor. This corrosion layer increases the resistance of the conduction path and causes interference in video or data signals.
Accordingly, there is an increased need in the art for an inexpensive connector which provides reliable, error-free operation over a range of environmental conditions which are to be encountered in the loop plant or any corrosive environment. It would be particularly desirable to use the same inexpensive connector in both interior and exterior applications to minimize cost and inventory. Further, it is desirable to continue using a connector which is already in widespread use by protecting it with an inexpensive cap which will provide corrosion protection before installation and during extended use. In addition, there is a need to minimize the amount of material which is discarded when the connector is mated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrical terminal which is protected from corrosive environments by a cap which seals elements which are sensitive to corrosion from gases or electrolytes.
In one embodiment of the invention, a base, tapered section, and top define a volume which is open at the base end. The inner dimension of the base is slightly smaller than the terminal it is intended to protect from corrosion. The base is forced part-way onto this terminal thereby creating an interference fit and seal. When the terminal is to be connected to its mate, the top is removed leaving the tapered section and base attached to the terminal. The mate is guided by the tapered section and forced into the base to create another interference fit and seal. The base, tapered section, and top are made from a polymer, typically polyethylene, and preferably a corrosion intercept reactive polymer. A scored section may be added between the tapered section and the top to ensure separation at that section. An extension section may also be added adjacent to the top to provide more space for the terminal during storage and shipment. The terminal and its mate may provide connection to a battery, an electronic circuit, or a radio frequency circuit. The terminal may be any shape, but more frequently it is rectangular or circular, and it may comprise single or multiple pins.
In another embodiment of the invention, one portion of a connector, either a plug or a receptacle, is capped with the apparatus described above, and they are provided together as an assembly. On installation, the top is removed and the mate is forced into the body to make the connection and create the seal against corrosion.
In still another embodiment of the invention, a polymer cap comprising an annular base, a tapered section, an extended section, and a top define a volume which is open at the base. The base of the cap is adapted to deform around the plug and receptacle of a radio frequency connector.
With this cap, the same inexpensive radio frequency connectors are capable of both indoor and outdoor use, minimizing cost and inventory. The cap provides corrosion protection to the connector in both the mated and unmated condition. The amount of discarded material is also limited to the top of the cap.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1556966 (1925-10-01), Selig
patent: 1626875 (1927-05-01), Reiser
patent: 2468226 (1949-04-01), Murphy
patent: 3193615 (1965-07-01), Burrows
patent: 3992570 (1976-11-01), Beinhaur
patent: 4717608 (1988-01-01), Meltsch
patent: 4944916 (1990-07-01), Franey
patent: 5162617 (1992-11-01), Ferbas
patent: 5231250 (1993-07-01), Moulton
patent: 0557587 (1958-05-01), None
patent: 0051109 (1982-05-01), None
patent: 0680128A1 (1994-04-01), None
patent: 2546677A1 (1983-05-01), None
Gibbons Del Deo Dolan Griffinger & Vecchione
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
Paladini Albert W.
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