Electrical connectors – With insulation other than conductor sheath – Plural-contact coupling part
Patent
1992-09-21
1994-10-11
Nguyen, Khiem
Electrical connectors
With insulation other than conductor sheath
Plural-contact coupling part
439620, H01R 3376
Patent
active
053542215
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to electrical connector assemblies for cathode ray tubes and, more particularly, to connector assemblies that are selectively releasable and that function effectively at high altitudes.
Conventional cathode ray tubes (CRT's) typically each include an integral glass stem on their rear sides, with a plurality of electrical contacts projecting rearwardly from the stem. The voltage levels of signals applied to at least one of the contacts can typically be on the order of 5000 to 7000 volts dc.
In applications limited to normal, sea level environments, where the air pressure is on the order of one atmosphere, the CRT stem is normally adapted to receive a mating plug assembly having contacts arranged and sized to mate with the contacts of the CRT stem. Insulating partitions are normally provided on the stem, to electrically isolate the high-voltage contact from the adjacent lower-voltage contacts. Such partitions are considered to provide adequate dielectric standoff at normal atmospheric pressures.
The connector assembly described briefly above does not operate effectively at altitudes, e.g., 40,000 to 70,000 feet, such as are encountered by military and commercial aircraft. At such high altitudes, the low air pressure significantly reduces the dielectric standoff between adjacent contacts. A voltage breakdown therefore can occur between the high-voltage contact and nearby lower-voltage contacts, unless special steps are taken to enhance the dielectric standoff. In the past, enhanced dielectric standoff typically has been achieved by soldering electrical conductors directly to the CRT contacts and then potting the entire assembly using an insulative silicone rubber material. This structure is effective at preventing a voltage breakdown, but has not proven to be entirely satisfactory, because it is not readily releasable. The connector assembly ordinarily must be destroyed to facilitate removal of the CRT for servicing or replacement. In addition, cold temperatures normally associated with high altitude applications, as well as thermal cycling, can adversely affect the integrity of the potting material.
It should, therefore, be appreciated that there is a continuing need for an improved CRT connector assembly that is readily releasable yet effective in providing sufficient dielectric standoff to allow effective operation even at high altitudes. The present invention fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is embodied in an improved electrical connector assembly for a cathode ray tube (CRT) that is selectively releasable yet provides adequate dielectric standoff to allow effective operation even at high altitudes. More particularly, the connector assembly is used with a CRT having a glass stem and a plurality of electrical contacts projecting from the stem, with at least one of the contacts being adapted to carry a high voltage, e.g., 5000 to 7000 volts dc. A plug assembly having a plurality of contacts adapted to mate with the contacts of the CRT is releasably attachable to the CRT stem. A cylindrical wall of the plug assembly encircles the plug assembly's high-voltage contact, thus defining a cylindrical recess around the contact. The connector assembly further includes a substantially rigid dielectric sleeve encircling a base portion of the CRT's high-voltage contact, leaving exposed the contact's remote end, and a resilient dielectric sleeve located within the plug assembly's cylindrical recess. The resilient sleeve is sized to slide over the substantially rigid dielectric sleeve and to be radially compressed between that sleeve and the cylindrical wall. This substantially fills the space surrounding the substantially rigid dielectric sleeve and thereby provides a high-voltage seal between the mating high-voltage contacts and the remaining, lower-voltage contacts of the CRT and the plug assembly.
The substantially rigid dielectric sleeve can take one of several forms. In one embodiment, the sleeve is part of a base rec
REFERENCES:
patent: 2393616 (1946-01-01), De Reamer et al.
patent: 3219965 (1965-11-01), D'Adamo
patent: 3958854 (1976-05-01), Arrington et al.
patent: 4131331 (1978-12-01), Kendall, Jr.
patent: 4533851 (1985-08-01), Block et al.
patent: 4597620 (1986-07-01), Lindner et al.
patent: 4605272 (1986-08-01), Myers et al.
patent: 4618206 (1986-10-01), Donofrio et al.
patent: 5154638 (1992-10-01), Sireul et al.
Doherty, II Patrick D.
McCormick David M.
Nguyen Khiem
Reynolds Industries Incorporated
LandOfFree
Releasable connector assembly for cathode ray tube does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Releasable connector assembly for cathode ray tube, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Releasable connector assembly for cathode ray tube will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1654776