IP Library Granted Patent US 12,040,571
Granted Patent B2
US 12,040,571 · App. 17/543,460 · Granted Jul 16, 2024

Electrical connector with field serviceable shell assembly

Inventors: Saul Ibarra (Santa Ana, CA); Willis A. Williams (Fontana, CA)
Assignee: HI REL CONNECTORS, INC.
H01R13/44H01R13/641
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,040,571
App. No.
17/543,460
Granted
Jul 16, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A connector comprises an external mounting flange that provides a housing in which a gimbal shell assembly sits and pivots. An internal recessing shell is capable of having an electrical connection with the gimbal shell assembly, wherein when the gimble shell assembly is disengaged, no electrical connection exists between internal recessing shell and gimbal shell assembly. A center screw is capable of being torqued to disengage and reengage the gimble shell assembly.

Claims (11)

1. A connector, comprising:

an external mounting flange that provides a housing in which a gimbal shell assembly sits and pivots;

an internal recessing shell capable of having an electrical connection with the gimbal shell assembly, wherein when the gimbal shell assembly is disengaged, no electrical connection exists between internal recessing shell and gimbal shell assembly; and

a center screw that is capable of being torqued to disengage the gimbal shell assembly.

2. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the gimbal shell assembly houses electrical contacts.

3. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the electrical contacts are configured to provide an electrical path for signals and power to and from an aircraft and ordinance.

4. The connector of claim 1 , further comprising a wave spring capable of providing a load as the center screw is torqued in a first direction of rotation, the gimbal shell assembly is pulled to a position of engagement, wherein the wave spring is further capable of providing a load so that, as the center screw is torqued in a second direction of rotation, the gimbal shell assembly is pushed to a position of disengagement.

5. The connector of claim 4 , wherein the gimble assembly is configured to be rotated to an angle x after the center screw is torqued in the second direction of rotation to disengage the gimbal assembly.

6. The connector of claim 5 , further comprising a visual indicator that is aligned when the gimbal shell assembly is rotated to an angle x.

7. The connector of claim 6 , further comprising a spring captivation nut shell.

8. The connector of claim 7 , wherein the spring captivation nut shell comprises bayonet grooves in which bayonets on the gimbal shell slid to engage and disengage the gimbal shell assembly.

Continuity (2)
Continuation 16039327 · Jul 19, 2018
Related Publication 20220094098A1 · Mar 24, 2022