ELECTRICAL HIGH-VOLTAGE CONNECTOR FOR SPACE

Description

Domaine technique :

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of high voltage electrical connectors and more particularly to the field of high voltage electrical connectors for the space sector. Technique antérieure :

[0002] In the space sector, high-voltage electrical connectors are familiar to those skilled in the art. Hereinafter, "high-voltage electrical connectors" refers to connectors capable of operating at voltages exceeding 5 kV. It is known to fabricate a high-voltage connector using direct wire connections, involving soldering the wires within the high-voltage modules and overmolding the module to provide electrical insulation.

[0003] This interconnection technique using a solid insulator makes the electrical link robust across the entire range of operating pressures, from atmospheric pressure to deep vacuum during the mission in orbit.

[0004] Despite this excellent functionality, this technique has several drawbacks: This operation must be performed by the manufacturer of the EPC or TWT and requires validation through testing. It is not easily reversible and necessitates a repair mode of operation, requiring further testing. Since the EPC and the TWT(s) are different objects that will be placed in different thermal zones, handling becomes quite complex and requires highly specialized equipment.

[0005] New markets require increased satellite compactness, and this interconnection technique is therefore not, or very difficult to, envisage if one wishes to increase the number of TWTs connected to a single EPC.

[0006] Indeed, since the electronic components can be shared to power more than two TWTs, the current solution is inherently limited and poses numerous logistical and production-related problems. Powering more than two TWTs is particularly critical for building satellites with active antennas, which ideally incorporate a very large number of TWTs, thus creating significant complexity in the high-voltage connections.

[0007] In the aeronautical field, high-voltage electrical connectors are well-known to those skilled in the art. These connectors are designed to operate over a specific range of altitudes (from sea level to often 33,000 feet or 10,000 meters), meaning within a predetermined pressure range. Typically, aeronautical connectors are made airtight, for example, by means of gaskets around the electrical contact, in order to keep the air trapped between the electrical contacts at atmospheric pressure.

[0008] However, this type of connector is not necessarily designed to operate for a very long lifespan (15 years or more) as required in the aerospace industry. In aeronautics, they are subject to a maintenance plan involving servicing or replacement. The use of a sealing gasket raises many questions about the connector's behavior during the inevitable outgassing that occurs over a very long period of use. Indeed, the seal is not perfect and necessarily includes a micro-leak that will cause changes in the connector's internal pressure.

[0009] The invention aims to overcome certain problems of the prior art. To this end, one object of the invention is a high-voltage electrical connector for space applications, comprising a male portion and a female portion for making electrical contact. The connector of the invention is ventilated and has the advantage of allowing the male and female portions to be easily separated. "Ventilated" hereinafter means that the connector is capable of being pumped to achieve a high vacuum (pressure less than 10⁻⁶ mbar) or less, particularly in its electrical contact region.

[0010] US 2013143430 A1 unveils the preamble to claim 1. Résumé de l'invention :

[0011] To this end, an object of the invention is a high-voltage electrical connector for the space domain comprising a male portion and a female portion intended to establish electrical contact between the portions, said male portion comprising: an outer male metallic shell; a male dielectric block encapsulated by the male shell and having a structured male region comprising a so-called male recess; a male portion of the electrical contact embedded at least partially in the male dielectric block, said male portion extending in a direction x , a so-called male end of said male part being disposed in the male recess, the female portion comprising: a female metallic outer shell, a female dielectric block encapsulated by the female shell and having a female structured region comprising a female recess, a female portion of the electrical contact embedded at least partially in the female dielectric block, said female portion extending in the direction x, a female end of said female part being disposed in the female recess, said female end being adapted so that said male end can fit into said female end to create electrical contact, an assembly formed by said male part, said female part, said male recess and said female recess being called an elementary connector, the male or female outer shell having at least one opening, the male structured region having a shape complementary to a shape of the female structured region, so that the male structured region is able to fit into the female structured region or vice versa to allow electrical contact and so as to create a leakage channel between the female structured region and the male structured region allowing air circulation between the female structured region and the male structured region up to said at least one opening,said leakage conduit being adapted to allow obtaining a high vacuum in the leakage channel and to prevent, at atmospheric pressure, the occurrence of dielectric breakdown between the electrical contact and the male outer shell passing through a surface of the male dielectric block, and between the electrical contact and the female outer shell passing through a surface of the female dielectric block.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the device of the invention, the leakage conduit constitutes the sole means of air circulation included between the female structured region and the male structured region to the outside of said connector.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the device of the invention, a portion of the leakage conduit in which the electrical contact is disposed extends in the x direction, such that said portion is substantially perpendicular to field lines associated with said electrical contact. Preferably, the thickness of the leakage conduit is sufficiently small so that there is no electrical breakdown in air at a pressure of 1 Pa within the leakage conduit.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the device of the invention, the male structured region is adapted such that a male creepage path between the electrical contact and the male outer shell, passing through a surface of the creepage conduit included in the male dielectric block, has a length greater than a predetermined dielectric breakdown distance associated with said predetermined voltage, at atmospheric pressure, and wherein the female structured region is adapted such that a female creepage path between the electrical contact and the female outer shell, passing through a surface of the creepage conduit included in the female dielectric block, has a length greater than said predetermined dielectric breakdown distance. Preferably, the male creepage path has a length greater than 1.2 cm and the female creepage path has a length greater than 1.2 cm, for a predetermined voltage of 7 kV.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the device of the invention, the number of openings and the size of the openings are adapted according to a volume of the leakage duct, so that it is possible to obtain a high vacuum in the leakage duct in a predetermined time.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the device of the invention, the male and female recesses are in the form of a hollow cylinder.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the device of the invention, the device comprises a plurality of elementary connectors. Preferably, said elementary connectors are arranged to form a line or a matrix. Even more preferably, the device comprises a first elementary connector and a second elementary connector aligned along a direction y perpendicular to xsharing the same leakage conduit, and in which a leakage line called male intercontact, between the electrical contact of the first elementary connector and the electrical contact of the second elementary connector, passing through a surface of the leakage conduit included in the male dielectric block has a length greater than a predetermined dielectric breakdown distance, and associated with the predetermined voltage, at atmospheric pressure, and in which a leakage line called female intercontact between the electrical contact of the first elementary connector and the electrical contact of the second elementary connector passing through a surface of the leakage conduit included in the female dielectric block has a length greater than said predetermined breakdown distance. Brève description des figures :

[0018] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description provided with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of example, which represent, respectively: [ Fig.1A ], [ Fig.1B ] And [ Fig.1C ], a schematic cross-sectional view along a plane ( x,y ) of, respectively, the male portion, the female portion and the connector according to the invention, [ Fig.1D ], a graphical representation of the Paschen curve in air, [ Fig.2 ], an enlargement of the elementary connector of the connector according to the invention, [ Fig.3 ], a schematic view of the connector according to an embodiment comprising a first elementary connector and a second elementary connector aligned along a direction y , and sharing the same leakage duct, [ Fig.4 ], a schematic view of the connector according to one embodiment.

[0019] In the figures, unless otherwise indicated, the elements are not to scale. Description détaillée :

[0020] The invention relates to a high-voltage electrical connector for the space sector, comprising a male portion M and a female portion F intended to make an electrical contact CE. figures 1A , 1B And 1C schematically illustrate a cross-sectional view along a plane ( x,y ) of, respectively, the male portion M, the female portion F, and the connector 1 according to the invention, with the male portion M and the female portion F inserted. As will be explained more clearly later, the connector of the invention is ventilated and allows for easy separation of the male and female portions. Furthermore, it is suitable for use at atmospheric pressure and under high vacuum, for a very long service life (exceeding 15 years). However, it is not functional during depressurization, that is, during the process of applying a high vacuum from atmospheric pressure to high vacuum.

[0021] In the connector of the invention, the male portion M comprises a male metallic outer shell CM and the female portion F comprises a female metallic outer shell CF. These shells CM and CF are protective shells known to those skilled in the art.

[0022] The male portion M further comprises a male dielectric block DM encapsulated by the male shell CM. The DM block is, for example, made of polyetheretherketone (also called PEEK) or any other dielectric material known to those skilled in the art. The DM block also features a structured region called the male RSM, which includes a recess called the male RM.

[0023] Furthermore, the male portion M includes a male part PM of the electrical contact CE, embedded at least partially in the dielectric block DM. The male portion includes a so-called male end EM which is disposed in the male recess RM. This male part PM is known to those skilled in the art and is suitable for connection to a high-voltage supply (not shown in the figures 1A-1C ). In the invention, by convention, the male part extends in the direction x .

[0024] Portion F also includes a female dielectric block DF encapsulated by the female shell CF and featuring a female structured region RSF with a female recess RF. This DF block is also an electrical insulator which, through its interaction with the DM block, ensures proper electrical operation of connector 1 at atmospheric pressure and under high vacuum.

[0025] Furthermore, portion F includes a female part PF of the electrical contact CE, embedded at least partially in the female dielectric block DF and extending in the direction xTo establish electrical contact, a female end (EF) of the female part is inserted into the female recess (RF). The female end (EF) is adapted so that the male end (EM) can fit into the female end (EF) to create the electrical contact (CE). The electrical contact (CE) is defined as the contact area between the male end (EM) and the female end (EF). The principle of creating electrical contact from a male end (EM) and a female end (EF) adapted to fit together is well known to those skilled in the art.

[0026] An elementary connector CNE is defined as an assembly consisting of the male part PM, the female part PF, the male recess RM and the female recess RF.

[0027] Essentially, in the connector of the invention, the male outer shell CM or female outer shell CF has at least one opening O passing through the shell and opening onto the outside of the connector. These openings, also called "vent holes," allow the connector 1 to be placed under a high vacuum in order to achieve its electrical insulation. By way of illustration, in the figures 1A-1C The CM shell comprises two openings O. Alternatively, according to another embodiment, the CM shell comprises a number of openings other than two.

[0028] Finally, in connector 1, the male structured region (RSM) has a shape complementary to a shape of the female structured region (RSF), so that the male structured region can be inserted into the female structured region or vice versa. Furthermore, the two structured regions are configured so that, when inserted into each other, they allow electrical contact (CE) and create an AC leakage conduit between the female and male structured regions. This conduit allows air to flow between the female and male structured regions to the opening. In the connector, the AC leakage conduit is the sole means of airflow between the female and male structured regions to the outside of the connector.

[0029] It is understood that the interlocking of the male EM end and the female EF end, and the creation of the leakage conduit AC, is made possible both by the insertion of the RSM and RSF regions and by the cooperation of the male CM and female CF shells. That is to say, the male CM and female CF shells each have a 3D structure that allows the creation of the AC conduit, and prevents, for example, a protruding portion of the RSF region from coming into contact with the RSM region, which would block the AC conduit.

[0030] The AC leakage conduit of the invention offers several advantages: It allows for a high vacuum to be achieved within the connector, and more specifically within the AC leakage duct where the electrical contact is located. This guarantees electrical insulation of the connector under high vacuum. Indeed, in this pressure regime, the mean free path of electrons potentially ejected from the electrical contact CE is too great: there are no longer enough gas atoms in their path to trigger, through collisions, the avalanche effect that transforms the gas into plasma and induces electrical breakdown in air. Under atmospheric pressure, it prevents dielectric breakdown between the electrical contact CE and the male outer shell CM, which passes over the surface of the dielectric block DM, and between the electrical contact CE and the female outer shell CF, which passes over the surface of the dielectric block DF. This protects the connector at atmospheric pressure.The process that produces a partially conductive track on the surface of an insulating material following electrical discharges on or near an insulating surface is referred to here as "dielectric breakdown" or "trace path." Furthermore, the AC conduit prevents electrical breakdown in air between the electrical contact CE and the male outer shell CM, and between the electrical contact CE and the female outer shell CF. These characteristics will be detailed later. Preferably, it allows for correct electrical operation (i.e., without the creation of electrical breakdown in air) of the connector even during an accidental pressure increase up to 1 Pa. This condition depends specifically on the structure of the portion of the leakage conduit in which the electrical contact is located (see below).

[0031] The connector of the invention therefore has an ingenious structure that allows for easy separation of the male and female portions and is suitable for use at atmospheric pressure and under high vacuum for a very long service life (exceeding 15 years). It is therefore particularly well-suited for the construction of satellites with an active antenna comprising a very large number of TWTs.

[0032] There figure 1D is a general graphical representation of the Paschen curve in air, that is, the curve which specifies the breakdown voltage in air for a voltage between two electrodes separated by a distance d and for a pressure p This figure will illustrate the operation of the connector under atmospheric pressure (region R1), under depressurization (region R2), and under high vacuum (region R3). In the plugged-in connector of the figure 1C the distanced corresponds to the smallest distance in air between the CE electrical contact and the CM male outer shell or between the CE electrical contact and the CF female outer shell.

[0033] On the figure 1D As a non-limiting example, a horizontal line is shown corresponding to a predetermined operating voltage of 7 kV for the connector. The curve of the figure 1D illustrates the fact that there necessarily exists a range of values p × d of approximately [2.5 Torr.cm; 10 2< Torr.cm] (region R2) for which we obtain a breakdown in air, for an operating voltage of 7 kV.

[0034] To the right and below the Paschen curve, (portion R1 of the figure 1D Air is an insulator with a breakdown voltage higher than the predetermined operating voltage. There are not enough free electrons removed from the electrical connection CE, and their mean free path is too short for them to accelerate sufficiently between collisions: their kinetic energy is insufficient to ionize the gas and thus cause breakdown. This regime corresponds to the desired operation of connector 1 at atmospheric pressure.

[0035] To achieve this, at atmospheric pressure, it is necessary to prevent a path between the CM shell and the CE contact passing through the surface of the DM block. Thus, according to one embodiment of the invention, the male structured region is adapted so that a creepage path, referred to as the male LM, between the electrical contact and the male outer shell, passing through a surface of the creepage conduit within the male dielectric block, has a length greater than a predetermined dielectric breakdown distance associated with the predetermined operating voltage of the connector at atmospheric pressure. This predetermined dielectric breakdown distance corresponds to the maximum distance between two electrodes, passing through the surface of an insulator for which the path occurs between the two electrodes, for a given voltage and a given pressure. This dielectric breakdown distance is determined by standard rules (see, for example, paragraph 5.1.10 of ECSS-E-HB-20-05A).

[0036] Similarly, in order to avoid a path between the CF shell and the CE contact, passing through the surface of the DF block, the female structured region is adapted so that a female creepage line LF between the electrical contact CE and the female outer shell CF passing through a surface of the AC creepage conduit included in the female dielectric block DF has a length greater than the predetermined dielectric breakdown distance.

[0037] Preferably, the male creepage line and the female creepage line have a length greater than 1.2 cm, for a predetermined voltage of 7 kV in order to avoid the occurrence of the path-tracing phenomenon.

[0038] It should be noted that the condition concerning the length of the LM and LF lines necessarily prevents air breakdown at this pressure between the electrical contact CE and the male outer shell CM on one side, and the female outer shell CF on the other. Indeed, air breakdown occurs at a voltage higher than the path (or a shorter distance between two electrodes), so if the path is avoided, air breakdown is also avoided.

[0039] When air pressure decreases, the Paschen curve (portion R2 of the figure 1D ) and the electrical discharge occurs if the connector is energized. This regime corresponds to the depressurization (i.e., vacuum) of the connector, in which the connector of the invention does not function and is not energized.

[0040] If the pressure continues to fall, we are then below and to the left of the Paschen curve (portion R3 of the figure 1D The mean free path of the electrons becomes too long: there are no longer enough gas atoms in their path to trigger, through collisions, the avalanche effect that transforms the gas into plasma and generates the breakdown. This regime corresponds to the high vacuum operation of the connector. In this regime, the high vacuum therefore acts as an insulator.

[0041] In the invention, the male region RSM and the female region RSF can have any shape without departing from the scope of the invention, provided that the male region RSM is capable of inserting itself into the female region RSF, or vice versa, so as to create the AC leakage conduit. Thus, according to the embodiment illustrated in the figure 1C , the male RSM region is structured to present slots in the plane ( x,y ) which are recessed relative to the rest of the DM dielectric block and the female RSF region is structured to present notches in the plane ( x,y ) which protrude from the rest of the dielectric block DF. Alternatively, according to another embodiment, the female region RSF is structured to present slots in the plane ( x,y ) which are recessed relative to the rest of the DF dielectric block and the male RSM region is structured to present notches in the plane ( x,y ) which protrude from the rest of the dielectric block DM. According to another embodiment, the female region RSF and the male region RSM have a structure in the plane ( x,y ) which has both recesses and protruding portions relative to the rest of the dielectric block DF and DM respectively.

[0042] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, different from that illustrated in figure 1C , the RSM and RSF regions are such that their cross-section according to the plane ( x,y ) presents structures that are not in the form of rectangular or square crenellations but which are, for example, in the form of a triangle or any other shape known to man skilled in the art, as long as the male region RSM is able to be inserted into the female region RSF or vice versa, so as to create the AC leakage conduit and allow the electrical contact CE.

[0043] Similarly, the specific shape of the RF and RM reinforcements is not relevant to the invention as long as the male RSM region is capable of fitting into the female RSF region. By way of non-limiting example, the RF and RM reinforcements may be hollow cylinders with a square base, a circular base, or a polygonal base.

[0044] In the invention, the male structured region RSM must not be in contact with the female structured region RSF, otherwise the AC leakage conduit would not be sealed. This could prevent the high vacuum from being achieved in connector 1 and / or could disrupt the connector's protection against electrical breakdown.

[0045] Preferably, the number and size of the openings are adapted to the volume of the leakage conduit, so that a high vacuum can be achieved in the leakage conduit (or pressure equilibrium between the leakage conduit and the outside of the connector) within a predetermined time. This predetermined time is defined by the user's specifications and by standards related to the field of application.

[0046] Preferably, the RSM region and the RSF region have a structure that limits the peak effects related to their volume. Thus, preferably, the RSM region and the RSF region are such that the edges of the leakage duct are rounded.

[0047] There figure 2 schematically illustrates an enlargement of the elementary CNE connector of connector 1. In this figure 2 The portion PAC of the AC leakage conduit where the electrical contact CE is located is shown. D denotes the distance along a direction y perpendicular to x between the electrical contact CE and a surface of the portion of the PAC leakage duct. Furthermore, on the figure 2 The LC field lines associated with the electrical contact CE are shown. These field lines depend, of course, on the geometry of the electrical contact and represent the direction of the vector describing the action at a distance experienced by an electric charge. That is to say, an electron removed from a given point of the contact CE will follow the direction of the LC field line associated with that point.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the portion of the PAC leakage duct extends in the direction x as illustrated in the figure 2 , so that said portion is substantially perpendicular to the LC field lines associated with the CE contact which are in the y direction in the example of the figure 2 This characteristic is particularly important for making connector 1 resistant to accidental pressure rise from a high vacuum. Indeed, this arrangement of the PAC conduit artificially limits the mean free path of electrons ejected at the CE contact, thus preventing them from accelerating sufficiently between collisions to ionize the gas and cause breakdown, because the ejected electrons are "stopped" by the dielectric walls of the PAC portion of the conduit. The key parameter controlling the mean free path of the ejected electrons is the distance D between two opposite surfaces of the leakage conduit. In other words, D is the thickness of the leakage conduit formed by the RSM and RSF regions. The smaller D is, the more the dielectric walls of the leakage conduit are able to limit the acceleration of the ejected electrons.Thus, a pressure increase that could potentially cause the connector in region R3 to pass through the . figure 1D to region R2 and causing a breakdown does not impair the electrical operation of the connector. It is understood that this is only true for a relatively low pressure rise, dependent on the predetermined operating voltage. Even more preferably, it is desirable for the connector to function correctly for a pressure rise of up to 1 Pa. For this reason, the distance D is chosen to be sufficiently small so that there is no electrical breakdown in the air at a pressure of 1 Pa within the leakage conduit.

[0049] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, denoted MP, the connector of the invention comprises a plurality of elementary connectors CNE, for example arranged to form a line or a matrix. This maximizes the number of signals transmitted by connector 1.

[0050] There figure 3 schematically illustrates an example of the MP embodiment in which connector 1 comprises a first elementary connector CNE1 and a second elementary connector CNE2 aligned along the y-direction, sharing the same AC leakage conduit. In the example of the figure 3 It is essential that the introduction of two elementary connectors CNE1 and CNE2 into the same AC conduit does not cause airborne path loss or breakdown. To prevent these phenomena, a creepage line, referred to as the male intercontact LIM, between the electrical contact CE1 of the first elementary connector CNE1 and the electrical contact CE2 of the second elementary connector CNE2, passing through a surface of the leakage conduit within the male dielectric block, has a length greater than the predetermined dielectric breakdown distance. Similarly, a creepage line, referred to as the female intercontact, between the electrical contact of the first elementary connector and the electrical contact of the second elementary connector, passing through a surface of the leakage conduit within the female dielectric block, has a length greater than the predetermined dielectric breakdown distance. Thus, the connector of the figure 3 allows for the transmission of a greater number of signals while maintaining optimal electrical operation.

[0051] There figure 4 The diagram schematically illustrates connector 1 according to an embodiment of the invention, with the male portion M and the female portion F inserted. By way of non-limiting example, the male outer shell CM comprises two openings O located on each of the small lateral faces of the shell CM. The connector of the figure 4 It is simple, compact, and allows for easy separation of the male and female parts. As a non-limiting example, connector 1 typically measures 85x16x55mm.

Claims

1. High-voltage electrical connector (1) for space technology comprising a male portion (M) and a female portion (F), intended to make an electrical contact (CE) between the portions, said male portion comprising: - a metal male external shell (CM); - a male dielectric block (DM) encapsulated by the male shell and having a male structured region (RSM) comprising a so-called male recess (RM); - a male part (PM) of the electrical contact at least partially embedded in the male dielectric block, said male part extending along a direction x, a so-called male end of said male part being disposed in the male recess, the female portion (F) comprising: - a metal female external shell (CF); - a female dielectric block (DF) encapsulated by the female shell and having a female structured region (RSF) comprising a female recess (RF); - a female part (PF) of the electrical contact at least partially embedded in the female dielectric block, said female part extending along the direction x, a so-called female end (EF) of said female part being disposed in the female recess, said female end being adapted such that said male end can be embedded in said female end to create the electrical contact (CE), an assembly formed from said male part, said female part, said male recess and said female recess being called elementary connector (CNE), the male or female external shell having at least one opening (0), the male structured region having a shape complementary with a shape of the female structured region, such that the male structured region is capable of being inserted in the female structured region or vice versa, to enable the electrical contact and so as to create a leakage conduit (AC) between the female structured region and the male structured region, enabling a circulation of air comprised between the female structured region and the male structured region, up to said at least one opening, said electrical connector being characterised in that said leakage conduit is adapted to enable the obtaining of a high vacuum in the leakage conduit and to prevent, at atmospheric pressure, the appearance of a dielectric punch through between the electrical contact and the male external shell passing to a surface of the male dielectric block, and between the electrical contact and the female external shell passing to a surface of the female dielectric block.

2. Electrical connector according to the preceding claim, wherein the leakage conduit constitutes the only means for circulating air comprised between the female structured region and the male structured region to the outside of said connector.

3. Electrical connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a portion of the leakage conduit (PAC) in which the electrical contact is disposed, extends in the direction x, such that said portion is substantially perpendicular to field lines (LC) associated with said electrical contact.

4. Electrical connector according to the preceding claim, wherein a thickness of the leakage conduit is sufficiently thin, such that there is no electrical punch through in the air at a pressure of 1Pa within the leakage conduit.

5. Electrical connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the male structured region is adapted such that a so-called male leakage line (LM) between the electrical contact and the male external shell, passing through a surface of the leakage conduit comprised in the male dielectric block, has a length greater than a predetermined dielectric punch through distance and associated with said predetermined voltage, at atmospheric pressure, and wherein the female structured region is adapted such that a so-called female leakage line (LF) between the electrical contact and the female external shell, passing through a surface of the leakage conduit comprised in the female dielectric block, has a length greater than said predetermined dielectric punch through distance.

6. Electrical connector according to the preceding claim, wherein the male leakage line has a length greater than 1.2cm and the female leakage line has a length greater than 1.2cm, for a predetermined voltage of 7kV.

7. Electrical connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the number of openings and the size of the openings are adapted according to a volume of the leakage conduit, such that it is possible to obtain a high vacuum in the leakage conduit in a predetermined time.

8. Electrical connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the male and female recess are hollow cylinder-shaped.

9. Electrical connector according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of elementary connectors.

10. Electrical connector according to the preceding claim, wherein said elementary connectors are disposed, so as to form a line or a matrix.

11. Electrical connector according to the preceding claim, comprising a first elementary connector (CNE1) and a second elementary connector (CNE2) aligned along a direction y perpendicular to x, sharing one same leakage conduit, and in which a so-called male intercontact leakage line (LIM), between the electrical contact (CE1) of the first elementary connector (CNE1) and the electrical contact (CE2) of the second elementary connector (CNE2), passing through a surface of the leakage conduit comprised in the male dielectric block has a length greater than a predetermined dielectric punch through distance, and associated with the predetermined voltage, at atmospheric pressure, and wherein a so-called female intercontact leakage line between the electrical contact of the first elementary connector and the electrical contact of the second elementary connector, passing through a surface of the leakage conduit comprised in the female dielectric block, has a length greater than said predetermined punch through distance.