Electrical connectors – Electromagnetic or electrostatic shield – Multi-part shield body
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-30
2002-12-17
Nguyen, Khiem (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Electromagnetic or electrostatic shield
Multi-part shield body
C439S701000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06494743
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. The Technical Field
The invention relates generally to electrical connectors. More particularly, the invention relates to electrical connectors adapted for connecting impedance-controlled wires and cables.
2. The Prior Art
Impedance-controlled electrical connectors for connecting impedance-controlled wire and cable are known in the art. Special families of impedance-controlled connectors, such as Triax, SMA, BNC, N, MHV, and others, have been developed for this purpose. Typically, such connectors are used for connecting multi-axial cable, although such connectors also can be used for connecting other types of impedance-controlled wire and cable, including, for example, shielded wire pairs and quads.
Also, some general purpose connectors, such as those according to Military Specification MIL-38999, have been adapted for connecting impedance-controlled wires and cables. Such general purpose connectors having conventional connector pins typically are used for connecting wiring and cable that does not have stringent impedance control requirements. Notwithstanding, custom inserts have been developed to allow impedance-controlled wire and cable to be connected using such a general purpose connector.
An example of a prior art general purpose connector having such special inserts is illustrated in FIG.
1
. Prior art connector
20
comprises a connector shell
22
having a conventional insert
24
comprising a conventional dielectric material. Various conducting elements penetrate the dielectric material
24
, including conventional connector pins
26
, a custom coaxial cable insert
28
, a custom triaxial cable insert
30
, a custom paired wire insert
32
, and a custom quad wire insert
34
. Each of custom inserts
28
,
30
,
32
, and
34
is specially made for use in connection with connector
20
. Such custom inserts typically are made using special dielectric material and they typically include special ground shields. As such, these custom inserts are costly to fabricate and to integrate with a conventional, general purpose connector.
It would be desirable to provide an electrical connector for use in connecting impedance-controlled wires and cables which uses conventional, low-cost materials and fabricating techniques.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an electrical connector assembly, preferably comprising a plug and a receptacle, for connecting impedance-controlled wires and cables, as well as wires and cables not having strict impedance control requirements. In a preferred embodiment, each of the plug and receptacle comprises an annular shell which is open at each end and which defines an interior region and an inner and outer surface. Preferably, the shell is cylindrical, having a circular cross section. In alternative embodiments, the shell can have other cross sections, such as oval, rectangular, pentagonal, etc. A divider extending axially through the interior region of the shell divides the interior region of the shell into two or more channels. Both the shell and the divider are made of a material which provides electrical shielding and the necessary structural characteristics. Any number of metals would be suitable for this application, as would be known to one skilled in the art. The shell and divider can be fabricated monolithically, e.g., cast as a single piece or machined from a solid block of material. Alternatively, the shell and divider can fabricated as separate components and subsequently welded, keyed, press-fit, bonded, or otherwise joined together.
Preferably, each of the channels defined by the shell and divider contains an insert made of a conventional or other dielectric material, although one or more of such channels can be hollow. The insert preferably is shaped to conform to the shape of the channel, and preferably is securely positioned within the channel. Preferably, one or more conductors penetrate each such insert, although one or more of such inserts can lack conductors. One end of each such conductor preferably is configured to be terminated to a conductor of a wire or cable feeding into the connector, as would be known to one skilled in the art. The other end of the conductor preferably is configured as a pin or a pin receptacle for mating with a corresponding receptacle or pin, respectively, as would be known to one skilled in the art. Corresponding pairs of connector plugs and receptacles can be keyed to ensure proper alignment of corresponding dividers, pins, and pin receptacles when a connector plug is connected to a corresponding connector receptacle.
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Drewek Gerard A.
Lamatsch Michael J.
General Dynamics Information Systems, Inc.
Jenner & Block LLC
Nguyen Khiem
Prasad Chandrika
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