Reflectometry device for detecting faults on a connector of an electrical network

Abstract

Reflectometry device for detecting defects on a connector of an electrical network The invention relates to a reflectometry device (10) for detecting defects on a connector (100) of an electrical network. The device comprises: - a first body (20); and first connection elements (24), integral with said first body; the first body (20) and the plurality of first connection elements (24) being capable of being assembled to the connector (100) in an assembly configuration. - a second body (22) integral with the first body; second connection elements (25), integral with the second body; and electrical connection members (26), arranged in the first body and / or in the second body. Each electrical connection member electrically connects one of the first (24) and one of the second (25) connection elements. Figure for abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Reflectometry device for detecting faults on a connector of an electrical network

[0001] The present invention relates to a reflectometry device for detecting defects on a connector of an electrical network. More specifically, the present invention relates to a reflectometry device of the type comprising a first body and a plurality of first connection elements, integral with said first body; each of the first connection elements extending parallel to a main axis; the first body and the plurality of first connection elements being capable of being assembled to the connector in an assembly configuration.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to a reflectometry device suitable for detecting defects on a hardened multi-point connector of an electrical network.

[0003] Such devices are found, for example, in submarine, rocket or space vehicle systems and make it possible to detect electrical faults within complex systems and / or systems designed for harsh environments. A device of the aforementioned type is described in particular in document FR3066825 in the name of the Applicant.

[0004] However, such a device involves testing each connection point of a connector using a reflectometry device configured for said connection point. Multiple assembly and disassembly operations are therefore necessary to test all the connection points of a connector. These operations are time-consuming and their repetition can lead to degradation of the connector.

[0005] The aim of the present invention is to propose a reflectometry device making it possible to test each connection point of a connector using the same apparatus, thus simplifying the assembly and disassembly operations with said connector.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a reflectometry device of the aforementioned type, further comprising: a second body secured to the first body, the first and second bodies being aligned along the main axis; a plurality of second connection elements, secured to the second body; and a plurality of electrical connection members, arranged in the first body and / or in the second body, each electrical connection member electrically connecting one of the first and one of the second connection elements.

[0007] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the reflectometry device comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0008] - each electrical connection member comprises a coaxial cable extending between a first and a second end, the second end being attached to one of the second connecting elements, each coaxial cable comprising a conductive core and a shield;

[0009] - the conductive core of each coaxial cable comprises an axially projecting portion at the first end of said coaxial cable; and each electrical connecting member comprises an interface piece extending in the first body between a first and a second end, said first end being electrically connected to one of the first connection elements, said second end surrounding the axially projecting portion of the conductive core of said coaxial cable;

[0010] - the second body forms an internal space arranged axially between the first body and the second connecting elements;

[0011] - the internal space has a shape widening axially from the first body towards the second connecting elements.

[0012] The invention further relates to a method for implementing a reflectometry device as described above, comprising the following steps:

[0013] - assembly of the reflectometry device with a connector in the configuration assembly, said connector comprising a plurality of third connection elements, such that in said assembly configuration, each of said third connection elements is in electrical contact with one of the first connection elements of the reflectometry device;

[0014] - connecting one of the second connection elements; and connecting each other second connection elements of the reflectometry device with the earth or ground; then

[0015] - sending by the reflectometer of a probe signal to the second element of connection connected; then

[0016] - reception of a possible reflected signal, emitted by the connector towards the reflectometer.

[0017] According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the probe signal is a microwave signal.

[0018] The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0019] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a perspective view, in partial section, of a device for reflectometry according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0020] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a sectional view of the reflectometry device of [Fig.l], assembled to a connector; and

[0021] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a detail view of [Fig.2].

[0022] Figures 1 to 3 represent a reflectometry device 10 according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0023] The device 10 extends along a main axis 12, between a first 14 and a second 16 end. The device 10 is intended to be assembled to a connector 100, visible in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0024] The device 10 comprises in particular: a first 20 and a second 22 body; a plurality of first connection elements 24; a plurality of second connection elements 25; and a plurality of electrical connection members 26.

[0025] The first 20 and second 22 bodies are aligned along the main axis 12 and arranged respectively on the side of the first end 14 and the second end 16.

[0026] The first body 20 is substantially solid and comprises a first 27 and a second 28 front faces, substantially perpendicular to the main axis 12. The second front face 28 is oriented towards the second body 22. The first body 20 is crossed by tubes 30, parallel to the main axis 12 and opening onto each of the first 27 and second 28 front faces.

[0027] In the embodiment shown, the first body 20 comprises a first 32, a second 34 and a third 36 sections, adjacent along the main axis 12. The first 27 and second 28 front faces are materialized respectively by the first 32 and by the third 36 sections. Preferably, the first 32, second 34 and third 36 sections are assembled to each other by screw-type fasteners 38.

[0028] In the embodiment shown, the device 10 further comprises a first ring 40 connected to the first body 20. More precisely, the first ring 40 is movable in rotation around the first body 20 and movable with axial play relative to said first body 20.

[0029] The first ring 40 extends along the main axis 12 and is arranged around the first section 32, an annular space 42 being provided between said first ring 40 and said first section 32. Preferably, the first ring 40 comprises a means of assembly with the connector 100, such as a thread 44, as will be described below.

[0030] The second body 22 comprises a side wall 50 and an end wall 52. The side wall 50 extends around the main axis 12, between the second front face 28 of the first body 20 and the end wall 52. Said end wall 52 is substantially perpendicular to the main axis 12.

[0031] The second body 22 defines an internal space 54 arranged axially between the second front face 28 of the first body 20 and the end wall 52.

[0032] Preferably, the side wall 50 has a shape of revolution around the main axis 12. More preferably, the side wall 50 has a shape flared, for example substantially frustoconical, so that the internal space 54 has an increasing section between the second front face 28 of the first body 20 and the end wall 52.

[0033] The first connection elements 24 are integral with the first body 20. In the embodiment shown, each first connection element 24 is arranged in a tube 30, close to the first front face 27.

[0034] In the embodiment shown, each of the first connection elements 24 comprises a cup 56, oriented towards the first end 14 of the device 10. Preferably, each tube 30 comprises a frustoconical end, widening from the corresponding cup 56 to the first front face 27. Each cup 56 is capable of ensuring electrical contact with a connection element of the connector, as described below.

[0035] Preferably, each first connection element 24 is a spring electrical contact, as described in document FR3066825. More precisely, each first connection element 24 comprises a support 58, inserted into the corresponding tubing 30; each cup 56 is extended by a rod capable of sliding axially in said support 58; and a spring (not shown) is interposed between one end (not shown) of said rod and a bottom of the support 58.

[0036] The second connection elements 25 are integral with the second body 22. In the embodiment shown, the second connection elements 25 are integral with the end wall 52. More precisely, each second connection element 25 comprises an electrical plug 60 and a connection end 62, projecting axially on either side of the end wall 52. The connection ends 62 are arranged in the internal space 54.

[0037] The device 10 comprises the same number of first 24 and second 25 connection elements. In the embodiment shown, the device 10 comprises twelve first connection elements 24, visible in [Fig.l], and the same number of second connection elements 25.

[0038] Said first 24 and second 25 connection elements are connected two by two. More precisely, each of the electrical connection members 26 connects a first 24 and a second 25 connection elements, as described below.

[0039] Each electrical connection member 26 comprises a coaxial cable 64 and an interface part 66. In the embodiment shown, each electrical connection member 26 further comprises a sleeve 68.

[0040] Each coaxial cable 64 extends between a first and a second end, connected respectively to the first 24 and to the second 25 corresponding connection elements. More precisely, the second end of each coaxial cable 64 is connected to the connection end 62 of the second connection element 25 corresponding. The first end of the coaxial cable will be described more precisely below.

[0041] Preferably, a length of at least one of the coaxial cables 64 is greater than an axial distance between the corresponding first 24 and second 25 connection elements, in order to facilitate the connection operations. In the vicinity of the second connection elements 25, the at least one coaxial cable 64 is therefore arranged in a curved manner, as shown in dotted lines in [Fig. 2]. The flared shape of the internal space 54 makes it possible to receive such a spatial arrangement of the coaxial cables 64.

[0042] Each coaxial cable 64 comprises a conductive core 70, a shield 72 and an electrical insulator 74. The insulator 74 is arranged around the conductive core 70 and the shield 72, also conductive, is arranged around the insulator 74. The conductive core 70 and the shield 72 are preferably metallic.

[0043] In the embodiment shown, the conductive core 70 of each coaxial cable comprises an end portion 76, projecting axially relative to the insulator 74 at the first end of said coaxial cable.

[0044] Each interface piece 66 extends in the first body 20 between a first 80 and a second 82 end. Said first end 80 is electrically connected to the corresponding first connection element 24. In the embodiment shown, the bottom of the support 58 of said corresponding first connection element 24 is inserted into the first end 80.

[0045] Furthermore, the end portion 76 of the conductive core 70 of the corresponding coaxial cable 64 is inserted into the second end 82 of the interface part 66. Optimal electrical contact is thus ensured between the first connection element 24 and the corresponding coaxial cable 64.

[0046] In the embodiment shown, the sleeve 68 is arranged around the interface part 66 and inserted into the corresponding tubing 30, so as to maintain said interface part 66 in said tubing 30 and to provide electrical insulation between the element 24 and the body 20.

[0047] The connector 100, visible in Figures 2 and 3, will now be described.

[0048] The connector 100 extends along a connector axis 102 and comprises a third body 104 and a plurality of third connecting elements 106.

[0049] The third body 104 comprises: a front surface 108, substantially perpendicular to the connector axis 102; and a second ring 110, extending along the connector axis 102 from said front surface 108. In the embodiment shown, the second ring 110 comprises a means of assembly with the reflectometry device 10, such as a thread 112, as will be described below.

[0050] Each of the third connection elements 106 is arranged in axial projection relative to the front surface 108 of the third body 104, the second ring 110 being arranged around said third connection elements 106. Each of the third connection elements 106 has a free end 114, opposite the front surface 108.

[0051] The connector 100 comprises a number of third connection elements 106 less than or equal to the number of first connection elements 24 of the device 10. Preferably, the numbers of first 24 and third 106 connection elements are equal.

[0052] In particular, the reflectometry device 10 and the connector 100 are configured to assemble reversibly, so as to bring each of the third connection elements 106 into electrical contact with a corresponding first connection element 24.

[0053] More specifically, in an assembled configuration, visible in Figures 2 and 3, the free end 114 of each of the third connection elements 106 is received in the cup 56 of the corresponding first connection element 24. Preferably, in said assembled configuration, the spring of said first connection element 24 is compressed.

[0054] Preferably, in the assembled configuration, the second ring 110 is received in the annular space 42 formed between the first ring 40 and the first body 20; and the tapping 44 of said first ring and the thread 112 of said second ring are assembled to each other, as visible in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0055] A method of implementing the reflectometry device 10 described above will now be described.

[0056] Such a method aims for example to detect faults on the connector 100 and / or on an electrical system connected to said connector 100. Such an electrical system is for example incorporated into complex equipment and / or designed for particular conditions of use, such as for example submarine, rocket or space vehicle equipment.

[0057] In a first step of the method, the device 10 described above is assembled to the connector 100 in the assembled configuration described above. More precisely, the free end 114 of each of the third connection elements 106 is inserted axially into the cup 56 of the corresponding first connection element 24; then the first ring 40 of the device 10 is screwed onto the second ring 110 of the connector 100.

[0058] In a second step of the method, the plug 60 of one of the second connection elements 25 is connected to a reflectometer (not shown); and the plug 60 of each of the other second connection elements 25 is connected to earth or ground. The second step of the method is carried out before or after the first step.

[0059] In a third step of the method, the reflectometer sends a probe signal to the second connection element 25 which is connected to it. Preferably, it is a high frequency signal, more preferably a microwave signal.

[0060] The device 10 is capable of ensuring impedance continuity between each of the second connection elements 25 and the corresponding first connection element 24, with sufficient quality for a microwave signal. The signal emitted by the reflectometer during the third step is therefore transmitted to the third connection element 106 assembled to the corresponding first connection element 24.

[0061] In the event of a fault at said connector 100 and / or on an electrical system connected to said connector 100, the impedance discontinuity associated with said fault leads to the return of a reflected signal to the reflectometer. The fault is thus detected.

[0062] The second and third steps are repeated with each of the second connection elements 25, in order to successively test each of the corresponding third connection elements 106 of the connector 100.

[0063] The presence of possible defects at the connector 100 is thus tested in a non-invasive manner, without multiplying assembly / disassembly operations at the said connector. The quality of the connection of the reflectometer on the connector 100 allows the reproducibility of the measurements.

Claims

Claims

1. Reflectometry device (10) for detecting defects on a connector (100) of an electrical network; the reflectometry device comprising: a first body (20); and a plurality of first connection elements (24), integral with said first body; each of the first connection elements extending parallel to a main axis (12); the first body (20) and the plurality of first connection elements (24) being capable of being assembled to the connector (100) in an assembly configuration; the reflectometry device being characterized in that: - it further comprises: a second body (22) integral with the first body, the first and second bodies being aligned along the main axis (12); a plurality of second connection elements (25), integral with the second body;and a plurality of electrical connection members (26), arranged in the first body and / or in the second body, each electrical connection member electrically connecting one of the first (24) and one of the second (25) connection elements; and - each electrical connection member (26) comprises a coaxial cable (64) extending between a first and a second end, the second end being fixed to one of the second connection elements (25), each coaxial cable comprising a conductive core (70) and a shield (72).;

2. A reflectometry device according to claim 1, wherein: the conductive core (70) of each coaxial cable comprises an axially projecting portion (76) at the first end of said coaxial cable; and each electrical connection member comprises an interface part (66) extending in the first body (20) between a first (80) and a second (82) end, said first end being electrically connected to one of the first connection elements (24), said second end surrounding the axially projecting portion (76) of the conductive core (70) of said coaxial cable (64).

3. A reflectometry device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second body (22) forms an internal space (54) arranged

4.

5.

6. axially between the first body (20) and the second connection elements (25). Reflectometry device according to claim 3, wherein the internal space (54) has a shape widening axially from the first body (20) towards the second connection elements (25). Method for implementing a reflectometry device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: - assembling the reflectometry device with a connector (100) in the assembly configuration, said connector comprising a plurality of third connection elements (106), such that in said assembly configuration, each of said third connection elements (106) is in electrical contact with one of the first connection elements (24) of the reflectometry device; - connecting one of the second connection elements (25) to a reflectometer; and connecting each of the other second connection elements (25) of the reflectometry device with earth or ground; then - sending by the reflectometer of a probe signal to the second connected connection element (25); then - reception of a possible reflected signal, emitted by the connector (100) towards the reflectometer. The method of claim 5, wherein the probe signal is a microwave signal.

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