Coupling nut retention system with removable device

Abstract

A sealed and serviceable interconnect system includes a connector with contacts, a coupling nut to fit over the connector, a clamp to fit over the coupling nut, and a retaining ring to fit over the clamp and to hold the clamp in place. The clamp fastens the coupling nut and the connector together in a sealed manner. The interconnect system also includes at least two O-ring type seals to fit into grooves on the external surface of the connector. The retaining ring may be in a "flat" or "radial" configuration removable through a flat removal tool such as a flathead screwdriver.

Description

Docket No. 3100.0166WOU1COUPLING NUT RETENTION SYSTEM WITH REMOVABLE DEVICECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.63 / 734,764 filed on December 17, 2024. The disclosures of the above application are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.BACKGROUND

[0002] Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted as prior art by inclusion in this section.

[0003] Connector systems provide electrical interconnection between different devices allowing exchange of data, control information, power, and other electrical signals. Depending on implementation, size, shape, pin numbers, and other characteristics of the connectors may vary. Some connector systems are for special environments such as hazardous environments, and may therefore include special sealing properties. Others may be shielded against electromagnetic interference. Pin numbers and sizes may also differ depending on the implementation such as expected current levels, number of signals to be exchanged, etc.SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure generally describes a removable coupling nut for a circular connector to provide in-field servicing.

[0005] According to some examples, a sealed and serviceable interconnect system may include a connector comprising a plurality of contacts; a coupling nut to fit over the connector and to fasten a cable to the connector; a clamp to fit over the coupling nut and the connector and to fasten the coupling nut and the connector together in a sealed manner; and a retaining ring to fit over the clamp and to hold the clamp in place.

[0006] According to other examples, a method of assembling a sealed and serviceable interconnect system may include receiving a connector comprising a plurality of contacts; positioning at least two O-ring type seals to fit into grooves on an external surface of theDocket No. 3100.0166WOU1connector; positioning a coupling nut to fit over the connector, where the coupling nut is to fasten a cable to the connector; positioning a clamp to fit over the coupling nut and the connector and to fasten the coupling nut and the connector together in a sealed manner; and positioning a retaining ring to fit over the clamp and to hold the clamp in place.

[0007] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The foregoing and other features of this disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings, in which:FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example circular sealed connector with a removable coupling nut;FIG. 2 illustrates an assembly view of an example circular sealed connector with a removable coupling nut and a clamp;FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example circular sealed connector with another removable coupling nut; andFIG. 4 illustrates an assembly view of an example circular sealed connector with a removable coupling nut and another clamp,all arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in theDocket No. 3100.0166WOU1detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. The aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.

[0010] This disclosure is generally drawn, inter alia, to a removable coupling nut for a circular connector to provide in-field servicing.

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example circular sealed connector with a removable coupling nut, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0012] Diagram 100 shows a circular connector with threads 112 for mating to a corresponding connector and a plurality of contact pins (or sockets) 120 held in place inside an insulator 110 within the connector. The connector is enveloped by a coupling nut 104 to fasten the cable to the connector in a sealed manner. Sealing on the connector side is accomplished by two O-ring type seals 114, 116. An outer surface of the connector shell includes multiple protrusions around the circular connector with corresponding grooves on an inside surface of the coupling nut mating the two together. The coupling nut is fastened onto the connector shell 102 through a clamp 108 held in place by a retaining ring 106. One of the O-ring seals 116 is positioned between the coupling nut 104 and the connector shell 102 to coincide with the clamp 108 such that when the clamp 108 is engaged, the seal 116 is also engaged. In configurations, where the clamp is a two-piece clamp, one or more guiding pins 118 may be used to mate the pieces of the clamp.

[0013] Sealed connector applications in hazardous environments, such as undersea cables, may need to have the seals replaced frequently due to pressure degrading the seals. Other components such as an EMI shield or others may also need to be replaced in the field. In conventional couplings screws and other fastening mechanisms may be used, but in-field replacement may be a cumbersome process (removal of multiple screws, nuts, bolts; requirement of specialty removal tools, etc.). Furthermore, cable-side overmold may also prevent screw retention. Example implementations utilize a simple clamp design and a retaining ring, which may be removed by a flathead screwdriver or similar simple tool. Thus, servicing of theDocket No. 3100.0166WOU1connector system (e.g., replacement of components) may be accomplished efficiently and quickly without any specialty tools.

[0014] While the interconnect system is shown in circular connector configuration, it may be implemented with other types of connectors (e.g., elliptical) and any practical number of contacts. The connector size may also vary depending on application. For example, a 20mm diameter connector may be used, while other sizes are suitable too.

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates an assembly view of an example circular sealed connector with a removable coupling nut and a clamp, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0016] Diagram 200 shows the coupling nut 204 and the clamp 208 along with the retaining ring 206 being assembled onto the circular connector. In an assembly process, the O-ring seals may be placed on the connector first, followed by pushing of the coupling nut onto the connector (with the seals between the two). In a configuration, where the clamp 208 is a two-piece clamp, the two pieces may be brought together around the coupling nut (and the connector) with the help of the guiding pin(s) 218. The clamp has two walls and a groove between the two walls on its external surface. The “flat” retaining ring 206 is placed into the groove pushing the two pieces together and holding the clamp over the coupling nut and the connector. One or more slots 222 in the walls of the clamp may allow removal of the retaining ring through a flathead screwdriver or similar simple tool.

[0017] The clamp includes a groove on its internal surface as well, which fits over the protrusions of the coupling nut and the connector shell fastening those two together. The retaining ring is shown in a “flat” configuration, where a width dimension of the retaining ring is larger than its thickness dimension. One or more guiding pins may be used to bring the pieces of the clamp together. While a two-piece clamp may be preferred for practical reasons, a flexible single-piece clamp or a multi-piece clamp may also be used. The groove on the external surface of the clamp (placement of the retaining ring) may be relatively central (a symmetrical clamp in relation to the width of the clamp), but may also be shifted toward one side or other depending on implementation. In some cases, where a large clamp may be needed (e.g., large size connector), two or more retaining rings may also be used side-by-side.Docket No. 3100.0166WOU1

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example circular sealed connector with another removable coupling nut, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0019] Diagram 300 shows another circular connector with threads 312 for mating to a corresponding connector and a plurality of contact pins (or sockets) 320 held in place inside an insulator 310 within the connector. The connector is enveloped by a coupling nut 304 to fasten the cable to the connector in a sealed manner. Sealing on the connector side is accomplished by two O-ring type seals 314, 316. An outer surface of the connector shell 302 includes multiple protrusions around the circular connector with corresponding grooves on an inside surface of the coupling nut mating the two together. The coupling nut 304 is fastened onto the connector shell 302 through an asymmetrical clamp 308 held in place by a radial retaining ring 306, which is not centrally located on the clamp 308 as opposed to the configuration shown in FIG. 2, but closer to one side (connector-side). One of the O-ring seals 316 is positioned between the coupling nut 304 and the connector shell 302 to coincide with the clamp 308 such that when the clamp 308 is engaged, the seal 316 is also engaged. In configurations, where the clamp 308 is a two-piece clamp, one or more guiding pins 318 may be used to mate the pieces of the clamp 308.

[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates an assembly view of an example circular sealed connector with a removable coupling nut and another clamp, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0021] Diagram 400 shows the coupling nut 404 and the clamp 408 along with the retaining ring 406 being assembled onto the circular connector. As in the previous configuration, the O-ring seals may be placed on the connector first, followed by pushing of the coupling nut 404 onto the connector (with the seals between the two). In a configuration, where the clamp 408 is a two-piece clamp, the two pieces may be brought together around the coupling nut (and the connector) with the help of the guiding pin(s) 418. The “asymmetrical” clamp in diagram 400 has a wider external wall on the coupling nut side and a narrower (in some case, smaller) wall on the connector side. The “radial” retaining ring 406 fits into a groove between the two walls. The “radial” retaining ring is placed into the groove pu shing the two pieces of the clamp 408 together and holding the clamp over the coupling nut 404 and the connector. The “radial” retaining ring 406 may have a slot in it, which may be used to widen the ring and fit over the clamp using aDocket No. 3100.0166WOU1flathead screwdriver or similar simple tool, thereby eliminating the need for one or more removal slots in the clamp walls.

[0022] The clamp includes a groove on its internal surface as well, which fits over the protrusions of the coupling nut and the connector shell fastening those two together. The retaining ring is shown in a “radial” configuration, where a thickness dimension of the retaining ring is larger than its width dimension. One or more guiding pins may be used to bring the pieces of the clamp together. While a two-piece clamp may be preferred for practical reasons, a flexible single-piece clamp or a multi-piece clamp may also be used. The groove on the external surface of the clamp (placement of the retaining ring) is shown closer to the connector side as opposed to the coupling nut side (a symmetrical clamp in relation to the width of the clamp), but may also be shifted toward one side or other depending on implementation. In some cases, where a large clamp may be needed (e.g., large size connector), two or more retaining rings may also be used side-by-side.

[0023] According to some examples, a sealed and serviceable interconnect system may include a connector comprising a plurality of contacts; a coupling nut to fit over the connector and to fasten a cable to the connector; a clamp to fit over the coupling nut and the connector and to fasten the coupling nut and the connector together in a sealed manner; and a retaining ring to fit over the clamp and to hold the clamp in place.

[0024] According to other examples, the coupling nut includes one or more protrusions and grooves on its internal surface, the connector includes one or more protrusions and grooves on its external surface corresponding to the protrusions and grooves on the internal surface of the coupling nut, and the coupling nut and the connector fit together through the one or more protrusions and grooves on the external surface of the connector and the corresponding one or more protrusions and grooves on the internal surface of the coupling nut. The interconnect system further includes at least two O-ring type seals to fit into grooves on the external surface of the connector.

[0025] According to further examples, the retaining ring is in a “flat” configuration, where a width dimension of the retaining ring is larger than its thickness dimension. The retaining ring is arranged to fit into a groove between two walls on an external surface of the clamp, and the groove is positioned substantially centrally on the external surface of the clamp. At least one of two walls on an external surface of the clamp includes one or more slots for removal of theDocket No. 3100.0166WOU1retaining ring through a flat removal tool. The retaining ring may also be in a “radial” configuration, where a thickness dimension of the retaining ring is larger than its width dimension. The retaining ring may be arranged to fit into a groove between two walls on an external surface of the clamp, and the groove may be positioned substantially asymmetrically on the external surface of the clamp. The retaining ring includes a slot for removal of the retaining ring through a flat removal tool. The clamp may include one or more pieces, and the one or more pieces of the clamp are guided to each other through one or more guiding pins. Two or more retaining rings may be fitted side-by-side over the clamp. The connector may have a round, elliptical, rectangular, square, triangular, or trapezoidal shape.

[0026] According to some examples, a method of assembling a sealed and serviceable interconnect system may include receiving a connector comprising a plurality of contacts; positioning at least two O-ring type seals to fit into grooves on an external surface of the connector; positioning a coupling nut to fit over the connector, where the coupling nut is to fasten a cable to the connector; positioning a clamp to fit over the coupling nut and the connector and to fasten the coupling nut and the connector together in a sealed manner; and positioning a retaining ring to fit over the clamp and to hold the clamp in place.

[0027] According to other examples, the coupling nut includes one or more protrusions and grooves on its internal surface, the connector includes one or more protrusions and grooves on its external surface corresponding to the protrusions and grooves on the internal surface of the coupling nut, and the coupling nut and the connector fit together through the one or more protrusions and grooves on the external surface of the connector and the corresponding one or more protrusions and grooves on the internal surface of the coupling nut. The retaining ring may be in a “flat” configuration, where a width dimension of the retaining ring is larger than its thickness dimension. The retaining ring is arranged to fit into a groove between two walls on an external surface of the clamp, and the groove is positioned substantially centrally on the external surface of the clamp. At least one of two walls on an external surface of the clamp includes one or more slots for removal of the retaining ring through a flat removal tool.

[0028] According to further examples, the retaining ring may be in a “radial” configuration, where a thickness dimension of the retaining ring is larger than its width dimension. The retaining ring is arranged to fit into a groove between two walls on an external surface of the clamp, and the groove is positioned substantially asymmetrically on the external surface of theDocket No. 3100.0166WOU1clamp. The retaining ring includes a slot for removal of the retaining ring through a flat removal tool. The clamp may include one or more pieces, and the method may further include guiding the one or more pieces of the clamp to each other through one or more guiding pins. The method may further include fitting two or more retaining rings side-by-side over the clamp.

[0029] The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope.Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, are possible from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0030] The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. Such depicted architectures are merely examples, and in fact, many other architectures may be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality may be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermediate components. Likewise, any two components so associated may also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or “operably coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated may also be viewed as being “operably couplable”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically connectable and / or physically interacting components and / or wirelessly interactable and / or wirelessly interacting components and / or logically interacting and / or logically interactable components.

[0031] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and / or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and / or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and / or application. The various singular / plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.Docket No. 3100.0166WOU1

[0032] In general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation, no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., “a” and / or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

[0033] Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and / or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

[0034] For any and all purposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations ofDocket No. 3100.0166WOU1subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the like include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, a range includes each individual member. Thus, for example, a group having 1-3 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, or 3 cells. Similarly, a group having 1-5 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 cells, and so forth.

[0035] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are possible. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

Docket No. 3I00.0166WOU1CLAIMSI / WE Claim:

1. A sealed and serviceable interconnect system, comprising:a connector comprising a plurality of contacts;a coupling nut to fit over the connector and to fasten a cable to the connector;a clamp to fit over the coupling nut and the connector and to fasten the coupling nut and the connector together in a sealed manner; anda retaining ring to fit over the clamp and to hold the clamp in place.

2. The interconnect system of claim 1, wherein:the coupling nut includes one or more protrusions and grooves on its internal surface, the connector includes one or more protrusions and grooves on its external surface corresponding to the protrusions and grooves on the internal surface of the coupling nut, and the coupling nut and the connector fit together through the one or more protrusions and grooves on the external surface of the connector and the corresponding one or more protrusions and grooves on the internal surface of the coupling nut.

3. The interconnect system of claim 2, further comprising:at least two O-ring type seals to fit into grooves on the external surface of the connector.

4. The interconnect system of claim 1, whereinthe retaining ring is in a “flat” configuration, where a width dimension of the retaining ring is larger than its thickness dimension.

5. The interconnect system of claim 4, whereinthe retaining ring is arranged to fit into a groove between two walls on an external surface of the clamp, andthe groove is positioned substantially centrally on the external surface of the clamp.Docket No. 3I00.0166WOU16. The interconnect system of claim 5, whereinat least one of two walls on an external surface of the clamp includes one or more slots for removal of the retaining ring through a flat removal tool.

7. The interconnect system of claim 1, whereinthe retaining ring is in a “radial” configuration, where a thickness dimension of the retaining ring is larger than its width dimension.

8. The interconnect system of claim 7, whereinthe retaining ring is arranged to fit into a groove between two walls on an external surface of the clamp, andthe groove is positioned substantially asymmetrically on the external surface of the clamp.

9. The interconnect system of claim 1, whereinthe retaining ring includes a slot for removal of the retaining ring through a flat removal tool.

10. The interconnect system of claim 1, whereinthe clamp comprises one or more pieces, andthe one or more pieces of the clamp are guided to each other through one or more guiding pins.

11. The interconnect system of claim 1, whereintwo or more retaining rings are fitted side-by-side over the clamp.

12. The interconnect system of claim 1, whereinthe connector has a round, elliptical, rectangular, square, triangular, or trapezoidal shape.

13. A method of assembling a sealed and serviceable interconnect system, the method comprising:Docket No. 3I00.0166WOU1receiving a connector comprising a plurality of contacts;positioning at least two O-ring type seals to fit into grooves on an external surface of the connector;positioning a coupling nut to fit over the connector, wherein the coupling nut is to fasten a cable to the connector;positioning a clamp to fit over the coupling nut and the connector and to fasten the coupling nut and the connector together in a sealed manner; andpositioning a retaining ring to fit over the clamp and to hold the clamp in place.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein:the coupling nut includes one or more protrusions and grooves on its internal surface, the connector includes one or more protrusions and grooves on its external surface corresponding to the protrusions and grooves on the internal surface of the coupling nut, and the coupling nut and the connector fit together through the one or more protrusions and grooves on the external surface of the connector and the corresponding one or more protrusions and grooves on the internal surface of the coupling nut.

15. The method of claim 13, whereinthe retaining ring is in a “flat” configuration, where a width dimension of the retaining ring is larger than its thickness dimension.

16. The method of claim 15, whereinthe retaining ring is arranged to fit into a groove between two walls on an external surface of the clamp, andthe groove is positioned substantially centrally on the external surface of the clamp.

17. The method of claim 16, whereinat least one of two walls on an external surface of the clamp includes one or more slots for removal of the retaining ring through a flat removal tool.

18. The method of claim 13, whereinDocket No. 3I00.0166WOU1the retaining ring is in a “radial” configuration, where a thickness dimension of the retaining ring is larger than its width dimension.

19. The method of claim 18, whereinthe retaining ring is arranged to fit into a groove between two walls on an external surface of the clamp, andthe groove is positioned substantially asymmetrically on the external surface of the clamp.

20. The method of claim 13, whereinthe retaining ring includes a slot for removal of the retaining ring through a flat removal tool.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the clamp comprises one or more pieces, and the method further comprises:guiding the one or more pieces of the clamp to each other through one or more guiding pins.

22. The method of claim 13, further comprising:fitting two or more retaining rings side-by-side over the clamp.

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