Split ring wire bundle seal sleeve and assembly process
The present disclosure includes a split ring wire bundle seal sleeve and an assembly technology for pressurized electrical feedthroughs. A kit of parts is also described.
1 . A split wire sleeve for a pressure bulkhead wire feedthrough seal fitting, comprising:
a split sleeve having a first end and a second end, the split sleeve comprising:
an inner surface comprising a plurality of sealant putty gripping ridges;
an outer surface comprising a sleeve retaining ridge that begins at the first end, that increases in height moving away from the first end, and that extends around all of a circular perimeter of the first end;
a first edge that extends from the first end to the second end, the first edge comprising a first snap-fit latch mechanism that extends along all of the first edge; and
a second edge that extends from the first end to the second end, the second edge comprising a second snap-fit latch mechanism that extends along all of the second edge and is configured to snap-fit engage the first snap-fit latch mechanism.
2 . The split wire sleeve of claim 1 , wherein the first snap-fit latch mechanism and the second snap-fit latch mechanism together cooperatively form a keyed interface to maintain consistent, longitudinal, and circumferential coupling when snap-fit engaged.
3 . The split wire sleeve of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of sealant putty gripping ridges comprise triangular cross-section shaped sealant putty gripping ridges.
4 . The split wire sleeve of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of sealant putty gripping ridges comprise quadrilateral cross-section shaped sealant putty gripping ridges.
5 . The split wire sleeve of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of sealant putty gripping ridges comprise hemi-cylindrical cross-section shaped sealant putty gripping ridges.
6 . The split wire sleeve of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of sealant putty gripping ridges comprise a plurality of different cross-section shaped sealant putty gripping ridges.
7 . The split wire sleeve of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of different cross-section shaped sealant putty gripping ridges are arranged in repeating pattern sets.
8 . The split wire sleeve of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of different cross-section shaped sealant putty gripping ridges are arranged in repeating pattern sets defining a repeating pattern pitch interval selected from the group consisting of 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7.
9 . The split wire sleeve of claim 1 , wherein the outer surface further comprises a plurality of sleeve retaining ridges to mitigate sleeve migration when installed in a split compression seal grommet.
10 . The split wire sleeve of claim 1 , further comprising a set of wires mechanically coupled to and passing through both the split wire sleeve and the sealant putty gripping ridges.
11 . The split wire sleeve of claim 1 , further comprising a split compression seal grommet mechanically coupled to the split wire sleeve.
12 . The split wire sleeve of claim 11 , further comprising a pressure seal fitting mechanically coupled to the split compression seal grommet.
13 . The split wire sleeve of claim 12 , further comprising a pressure bolt feedthrough kit mechanically coupled to the pressure seal fitting.
14 . The split wire sleeve of claim 13 , further comprising a pressure bulkhead mechanically coupled to the pressure bolt feedthrough kit.
15 . A method of assembling a split wire sleeve for a pressure bulkhead wire feedthrough seal fitting, comprising:
placing a charge of sealant putty around a set of wires;
pre-assembling a split wire sleeve around the charge of sealant putty and wires, wherein the split wire sleeve comprises:
a first end and a second end;
an inner surface comprising a plurality of sealant putty gripping ridges;
an outer surface comprising a sleeve retaining ridge that begins at the first end, that increases in height moving away from the first end, and that extends around all of a circular perimeter of the first end;
a first edge that extends from the first end to the second end, the first edge comprising a first snap-fit latch mechanism that extends along all of the first edge; and
a second edge that extends from the first end to the second end, the second edge comprising a second snap-fit latch mechanism that extends along all of the second edge and is configured to snap-fit engage the first snap-fit latch mechanism; and
assembling the split wire sleeve comprising squeezing the first edge toward the second edge, compressing the charge of sealant putty until the first snap-fit latch mechanism and the second snap-fit latch mechanism engage together, and creating a pressure resistant seal between the set of wires.
16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising placing the split wire sleeve, the compressed charge of sealant putty and at least a segment of the set of wires within at least one conduit of a split compression seal grommet.
17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising assembling a pressure seal fitting around the split compression seal grommet.
18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising installing the assembled pressure seal fitting on a pressure bulkhead.
19 . A kit of parts for assembling a pressure bulkhead wire feedthrough seal fitting, comprising:
a split sleeve comprising a non-hygroscopic, glass fiber reinforced plastic, the split sleeve having a first end and a second end and comprising:
an inner surface comprising a plurality of sealant putty gripping ridges;
an outer surface comprising a sleeve retaining ridge that begins at the first end, that increases in height moving away from the first end, and that extends around all of a circular perimeter of the first end;
a first edge that extends from the first end to the second end, the first edge comprising a first snap-fit latch mechanism that extends along all of the first edge; and
a second edge that extends from the first end to the second end, the second edge comprising a second snap-fit latch mechanism that extends along all of the second edge and is configured to snap-fit engage the first snap-fit latch mechanism;
a source of sealant putty; and
a split compression seal grommet.
20 . The kit of parts of claim 19 , further comprising a pressure seal fitting.