Recessed Socket Boot Seal for Underwater Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boot seals for electrical connectors in harsh environments, such as deep sea applications, are prone to mechanical damage and increase the length and diameter of connectors due to protruding nipples, which are not ideal for reducing fluid ingress and maintaining seal integrity under high pressure.
Innovation Solution
A novel boot seal design featuring an elastomeric seal with a unique socket configuration that eliminates protruding nipples, using a combination of constrictive and conformable sleeve portions to maintain seal integrity and reduce connector size, while providing strain relief and electrical insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protruding nipples are used in boot seal design, then electrical connection is achieved, but mechanical damage risk increases and connector size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the connector nipple protrude outward to receive the boot seal, the invention inverts the design by having the boot seal insert into a recessed socket within the connector terminal. This eliminates the protruding nipple structure that is vulnerable to mechanical damage while maintaining the electrical connection function through the socket interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The boot seal is nested within a recessed socket in the connector terminal rather than having the nipple protrude outward. This nesting approach consolidates the connection structure, eliminating external protrusions that increase mechanical damage risk while maintaining seal integrity and electrical connectivity.
2Reliability
If protruding nipples are used in boot seal design, then electrical connection is achieved, but connector length and diameter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the traditional design by recessing the socket into the connector terminal rather than having the nipple protrude outward. This inversion eliminates the need for extended connector length and diameter, as the boot seal fits within the recessed socket space rather than requiring external protrusion.
3Reliability
If protruding nipples are used in boot seal design, then electrical connection is achieved, but connector diameter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The boot seal is nested within a recessed socket in the connector terminal, eliminating the need for external protruding nipples. This nesting configuration maintains the connector's compact diameter by utilizing internal recessed space rather than requiring external dimensional increases.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design effectively seals conductor-to-connector junctions, prevents fluid ingress, and reduces the risk of mechanical damage, maintaining seal integrity even under high environmental pressures, and is more robust and compact compared to traditional designs.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric seal with a unique socket configuration that eliminates protruding nipples, using a combination of constrictive and conformable sleeve portions
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, combination and method of sealably enclosing junctions include an elastomeric seal that extends at least partially into a socket of a connector. The presently disclosed technology can be useful in sealably enclosing junctions of individual, jacketed-wire conductors to the terminals of underwater connectors. The presently disclosed technology can serve some or all of several purposes. A first of these purposes can be to sealably enclose a conductor-to-connector junction to prevent fluid ingress. A second purpose can be to electrically insulate a junction from its external environment, and a third purpose can be to provide strain relief for a jacketed-wire conductor at a junction.