Laser weld coaxial connector and interconnection method
A coaxial connector, the coaxial connector interconnectable with a coaxial cable by a process including providing a connector body with a bore; inserting a leading end of the coaxial cable into the bore from a cable end of the connector body, and laser welding between the outer conductor and the connector body from a connector end of the connector body.
1. A coaxial connector interconnected with a coaxial cable, with an outer conductor and an inner conductor, by a process comprising:
providing a connector body with a bore;
inserting a leading end of the coaxial cable into the bore from a cable end of the connector body, and
laser welding between the outer conductor and the connector body from, a connector end of the connector body;
wherein the leading end of the coaxial cable is inserted into the bore until a leading edge of the outer conductor axially abuts a stop shoulder proximate a connector end of the bore;
wherein providing a connector body with a bore includes preparing the leading end of the cable end prior to insertion into the bore by removing a portion of the outer conductor so that an inner conductor extends therefrom, removing a portion of a dielectric material between the inner conductor and the outer conductor such that the dielectric material is recessed within the leading end of the coaxial cable.
2. The coaxial connector interconnected with a coaxial cable of claim 1 , wherein an inner conductor cap is laser welded upon the inner conductor.
3. The coaxial connector interconnected with a coaxial cable of claim 1 , further including the step of coupling an overbody to the connector body.
4. The coaxial connector interconnected with a coaxial cable of claim 1 , further including stripping back a portion of a jacket from the outer conductor.
5. The coaxial connector interconnected with a coaxial cable of claim 1 , further including providing an overbody of polymeric material upon an outer diameter of the connector body, the overbody extending from the cable end of the connector body, an inner diameter of the overbody extending from the cable end of the connector body provided as a friction surface dimensioned for an interference fit upon an outer diameter of a jacket of the coaxial cable.
6. The coaxial connector interconnected with a coaxial cable of claim 1 , wherein the laser welding is applied as a continuous circumferential weld.
7. The coaxial connector interconnected with a coaxial cable of claim 1 , wherein the laser welding is applied as a plurality of spot welds with adjacent spot welds applied partially overlapping one another.
8. The coaxial connector interconnected with a coaxial cable of claim 1 , wherein the laser welding is applied with a focal point of a laser beam positioned below a surface of a joint between the outer conductor and the connector body.
9. The coaxial connector interconnected with a coaxial cable of claim 1 , wherein a head coupled to a laser by fiber optic cable is adjusted with respect to the circumferential seam to apply the laser welding.
10. The coaxial connector interconnected with a coaxial cable of claim 1 wherein the connector body is manipulated with respect to a laser beam to apply the laser welding.