Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR CORRUGATED COAXIAL CABLE
BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of coaxial cable
connectors and more
particularly to a contact connector assembly for use with coaxial cables
having a center
conductor.
State of the Art
[0002] Corrugated coaxial cables are electrical cables that are used as
transmission lines for
radio frequency signals. Coaxial cables are composed of an inner conductor
surrounded by a
flexible insulating layer, which in turn is surrounded by a corrugated outer
conductor that acts as
a conducting shield. An outer protective sheath or jacket surrounds the
corrugated outer
conductor.
[0003] A corrugated coaxial cable in an operational state typically has a
connector affixed on
either end of the cable. The quality of the electrical connection between the
coaxial cable and
the respective connectors is of utmost importance. Indeed, the quality of the
electrical
connection can either positively or negatively impact the resulting electric
signal as well as the
performance of the connector. One issue that negatively impacts the electric
signal between the
cable and the connector is the size of the connector in relation to the size
of the cable. Currently,
specifically-sized connectors must be chosen for each size of cable that they
are to be connected
to. Improperly-sized connectors, or even improperly-selected connectors for a
certain-sized
cable, will negatively impact the electric signal between the cable and the
connector, resulting in
extremely low performance. Moreover, even when the properly-sized connector is
chosen for
the designated cable, variations in the actual dimensions of the manufactured
cable can lead to
improper installation of the connector on the cable. Improper installation
could lead to poor
electrical and mechanical connection between the compression connector and the
cable.
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[0004] Thus, there is a need in the field of corrugated coaxial cables for
a universal
connector that addresses the aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present invention relates generally to the field of coaxial
cable connectors and
more particularly to a contact connector assembly for use with coaxial cables
having a center
conductor.
[0006] A coaxial cable assembly is disclosed, the assembly comprising a
coaxial cable
having an inner conductor, an exposed outer corrugated conductor, an insulator
disposed
between the inner and outer conductors, and a protective jacket disposed over
the corrugated
outer conductor; a connector body comprising a first end, a second end, and an
inner bore
defined between the first and second ends of the body; a compression cap
comprising a first end,
a second end, and an inner bore defined between the first and second ends of
the cap, the first
end of the compression cap being structured to engage the second end of the
connector body; a
clamp comprising a first end, a second end, an inner bore defined between the
first and second
ends of the clamp for allowing the coaxial cable to axially pass therethrough,
and an annular
recess on the inner bore, the annular recess being structured to engage the
outer corrugated
conductor of the coaxial cable; and a compression surface disposed within the
connector body,
wherein axial advancement of one of the connector body and the compression cap
toward the
other facilitates the clamp being axially advanced into proximity with the
compression surface
such that a corrugation of the outer conductor of the coaxial cable is
collapsed between the clamp
and the compression surface.
[0007] The coaxial cable assembly of paragraph 6, wherein the compression
surface is
integral to the connector body and protrudes radially inward from the inner
bore of the connector
body, the compression surface further comprising an oblique surface, and
wherein the clamp
further comprises an oblique surface, the oblique surface of the clamp being
configured to
compliment the oblique surface of the compression surface, wherein under the
condition that the
clamp is axially advanced toward the compression surface the oblique surface
of the clamp and
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the oblique surface of the compression surface crumple therebetween the
corrugation of the outer
conductor of the cable.
[0008] The coaxial cable assembly of paragraph 7, wherein the compression
surface further
defines a notch disposed radially outward of the oblique surface, and wherein
the first end of the
clamp further comprises a protrusion disposed radially outward of the oblique
surface of the
clamp and extending axially from the first end of the clamp, wherein the notch
and the protrusion
are structurally configured to functionally engage therebetween a portion of
the corrugation of
the outer conductor under the condition that the oblique surface of the clamp
and the oblique
surface of the compression surface crumple therebetween the corrugation of the
outer conductor.
[0009] The coaxial cable assembly of paragraph 6, further comprising a
compression ring
comprising a first end, a second end, and an inner bored defined between the
first and second
ends of the compression ring, wherein the compression ring is structured to
functionally engage
the inner bore of the connector body and wherein the second end of the
compression ring
functions as the compression surface.
[0010] The coaxial cable assembly of paragraph 9, wherein the second end of
the
compression ring further comprises an annular indentation, wherein under the
condition that the
clamp is axially advanced toward the compression surface the annular
indentation engages a
leading edge of the corrugation of the outer conductor of the cable, and
wherein a portion of the
corrugation deforms within the annular indentation and a remaining portion of
the corrugation
collapses between the compression surface and the clamp.
[0011] The coaxial cable assembly of paragraph 9, wherein the second end of
the
compression ring further comprises an oblique surface and an opposing oblique
surface that are
structurally configured to form a v-shaped indention in the second end of the
compression ring,
and wherein the first end of the clamp comprises an outer beveled edge and an
inner beveled
edge, the beveled edges being configured to form a v-shape in the first end of
the clamp that is
configured to fit within the v-shaped indention of the compression surface,
such that under the
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condition that the clamp is axially advanced toward the compression surface a
corrugation of an
outer conductor of the cable collapses between the v-shaped indention of the
compression
surface and the v-shape in the first end of the clamp.
[0012] The coaxial cable assembly of paragraph 6, wherein the clamp further
comprises a
plurality of radially displaceable sectors that collectively comprise the
clamp, each sector being
structured to independently radially displace under the condition that the
coaxial cable passes
through the clamp; and an elastic member disposed on an outer surface of the
clamp, the elastic
member being configured to maintain the relative position of the individual
sectors with respect
to one another during radial displacement of the individual sectors.
[0013] The coaxial cable assembly of paragraph 6, further comprising a
deformable washer
comprising a first end, a second end, and an inner bore defined between the
first end and the
second end, the deformable washer being disposed between the first end of the
clamp and the
second end of the connector body and being structured to slidably engage the
inner bore of the
compression cap.
[0014] The coaxial cable assembly of paragraph 13, wherein the deformable
washer is
structured to resist the axial advancement of the clamp under a first force
and to deform under a
second force greater than the first force to allow the clamp to axial advance
through the
deformed washer.
[0015] The coaxial cable assembly of paragraph 7, further comprising a
clamp ring
comprising a first end, a second end, an inner bore defined between the first
and second ends of
the clamp ring for allowing the coaxial cable to axially pass therethrough,
the clamp ring being
structured to functionally engage the inner bore of the compression cap; an
insulator having a
first end, a second end, and an inner bore defined between the first and
second ends of the
insulator, the insulator disposed within the inner bore of the connector body
and structured to
slidably engage the inner bore of the connector body; and a conductive pin
having a first end, a
second end, and a flange extending radially outward from the pin in a central
region of the pin,
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wherein the pin is disposed within and slidably engages the inner bore of the
insulator, the flange
is structured to engage the second end of the insulator, and the second end of
the pin is structured
to functionally engage a center conductor of the coaxial cable.
[0016] The coaxial cable assembly of paragraph 15, wherein, under the
condition that one of
the compression cap and connector body is axially advanced toward the other,
the compression
cap functionally engages the clamp ring to axially advance the clamp ring, the
clamp ring
functionally engages the clamp to axially advance the clamp toward the
compression surface, the
clamp functionally engages the coaxial cable to axially advance the coaxial
cable toward the
conductive pin, the connector body functionally engages the insulator to
axially advance the
insulator, the insulator functionally engages the conductive pin to axially
advance the conductive
pin toward the coaxial cable, the axial advancement of the compression cap and
the connector
body toward one another results in the corrugation of the outer conductor of
the coaxial cable
collapsing between the clamp and the compression surface, and the second end
of the conductive
pin functionally engaging the center conductor of the coaxial cable.
[0017] The coaxial cable assembly of paragraph 9, further comprising a
clamp ring
comprising a first end, a second end, an inner bore defined between the first
and second ends of
the clamp ring for allowing the coaxial cable to axially pass therethrough,
the clamp ring being
structured to functionally engage the inner bore of the compression cap; a
first insulator
comprising a first end, a second end, a tubular cavity extending axially from
the second end, and
an inner bore defined between the first and second ends of the first
insulator, the first insulator
being disposed within the inner bore of the connector body and structured to
slidably engage the
inner bore of the connector body, and wherein the second end of the first
insulator functionally
engages the first end of the compression ring; a second insulator having a
first end, a second end,
and an inner bore defined between the first and second ends of the second
insulator, the second
insulator disposed within the inner bore of the connector body and structured
to slidably engage
the inner bore of the connector body; and a conductive pin having a first end
and a second end,
the second end defining an axial socket therein, wherein the pin is disposed
within and slidably
engages the inner bore of the second insulator, and wherein the second end of
the pin is
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structured to functionally engage the first end of the first conductor and the
axial socket is
structured to functionally engage a center conductor of the coaxial cable.
[0018] The coaxial cable assembly of paragraph 17, wherein the second end
of the first
insulator further comprises a tubular mandrel extending axially from the
second end, wherein the
tubular mandrel is structured to slidably engage the through hole of the
compression ring such
that the compression ring is disposed on and functionally engages the tubular
mandrel of the first
insulator.
[0019] The coaxial cable assembly of paragraph 6, the connector further
comprising a
deformable member having an inner bore and being disposed within the
compression cap,
wherein the inner bore and the second end of the compression cap functionally
engage the
deformable member.
[0020] The coaxial cable assembly of paragraph 6, the connector further
comprising a
shoulder on the inner bore of the connector body; a shoulder on the inner bore
of the
compression cap; a flange on a clamp ring, the clamp ring being disposed
within the compression
cap and the flange of the clamp ring being structured to functionally engage
the inner bore of the
compression cap; and a lip on the second end of the compression cap.
[0021] The coaxial cable assembly of paragraph 17, wherein, under the
condition that one of
the compression cap and connector body is axially advanced toward the other,
the compression
cap functionally engages the clamp ring to axially advance the clamp ring, the
clamp ring
functionally engages the clamp to axially advance the clamp toward the
compression surface, the
clamp functionally engages the coaxial cable to axially advance the coaxial
cable toward the
conductive pin, the connector body functionally engages the second insulator
to axially advance
the second insulator, the second insulator functionally engages the conductive
pin to axially
advance the conductive pin toward the coaxial cable, the conductive pin
functionally engages the
first insulator to axially advance the first insulator, the first insulator
functionally engages the
compression ring to axially advance the compression ring toward the clamp, the
axial
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advancement of the compression cap and the connector body toward one another
results in the
corrugation of the outer conductor of the coaxial cable collapsing between the
clamp and the
compression surface, the socket of the conductive pin functionally engaging
the center conductor
of the coaxial cable, and the first insulator axially displacing the
conductive pin through the bore
of the second insulator such that the socket of the conductive pin
functionally engages the inner
bore of the second insulator and the second end of the second insulator
functionally engages the
first end of the first insulator.
[0022] A compression connector, the connector comprising a connector body
comprising a
first end, a second end, and an inner bore defined between the first and
second ends of the body;
a compression cap comprising a first end, a second end, and an inner bore
defined between the
first and second ends of the cap, the first end of the compression cap being
structured to engage
the second end of the connector body; a clamp comprising a first end, a second
end, an inner
bore defined between the first and second ends of the clamp, wherein the clamp
further
comprises a plurality of radially displaceable sectors that collectively
comprise the clamp, each
sector being configured to independently radially displace; and a compression
surface disposed
within the connector body, wherein axial advancement of one of the connector
body and the
compression cap toward the other facilitates the clamp being axially advanced
into proximity
with the compression surface such that the clamp and the compression surface
transmit force
between one another.
[0023] The connector of paragraph 22, the connector further comprising an
elastic member
disposed on an outer surface of the clamp, the elastic member configured to
maintain the relative
position of the individual sectors with respect to one another during radial
displacement of the
individual sectors.
[0024] The compression connector of paragraph 22, wherein the compression
surface is
integral to the connector body and protrudes radially inward from the inner
bore of the connector
body, the compression surface further comprising an oblique surface, and
wherein the clamp
further comprises an oblique surface, the oblique surface of the clamp being
configured to
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compliment the oblique surface of the compression surface; wherein under the
condition that the
clamp is axially advanced toward the compression surface the oblique surface
of the clamp and
the oblique surface of the compression surface transmit force therebetween.
[0025] The compression connector of paragraph 22, further comprising a
compression ring
comprising a first end, a second end, and an inner bored defined between the
first and second
ends of the compression ring, wherein the compression ring is structured to
functionally engage
the inner bore of the connector body and wherein the second end of the
compression ring
functions as the compression surface and is structured such that under the
condition that the
clamp is axially advanced toward the compression surface the second end of the
compression
ring and the first end of the clamp transmit force therebetween.
[0026] The compression connector of paragraph 22, further comprising a
deformable washer
comprising a first end, a second end, and an inner bore defined between the
first end and the
second end, the deformable washer being disposed between the first end of the
clamp and the
second end of the connector body and being structured to slidably engage the
inner bore of the
compression cap.
[0027] The compression connector of paragraph 26, wherein the deformable
washer is
structured to resist the axial advancement of the clamp under a first force
and to deform under a
second force greater than the first force to allow the clamp to axial advance
through the
deformed washer and toward the compression surface.
[0028] The compression connector of paragraph 24, further comprising a
clamp ring
comprising a first end, a second end, an inner bore defined between the first
and second ends of
the clamp ring, the clamp ring being structured to functionally engage the
inner bore of the
compression cap; an insulator having a first end, a second end, and an inner
bore defined
between the first and second ends of the insulator, the insulator disposed
within the inner bore of
the connector body and structured to slidably engage the inner bore of the
connector body; and a
conductive pin having a first end, a second end, and a flange extending
radially outward from the
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pin in a central region of the pin, wherein the pin is disposed within and
slidably engages the
inner bore of the insulator, the flange being structured to engage the second
end of the insulator.
[0029] The compression cap of paragraph 28, wherein, under the condition
that one of the
compression cap and connector body are axially advanced toward the other, the
compression cap
functionally engages the clamp ring to axially advance the clamp ring, the
clamp ring
functionally engages the clamp to axially advance the clamp toward the
compression surface, the
connector body functionally engages the insulator to axially advance the
insulator, the insulator
functionally engages the conductive pin to axially advance the conductive pin,
the axial
advancement of the compression cap and the connector body toward one another
results in the
transmission of force between the clamp and the compression surface.
[0030] The compression connector of paragraph 25, further comprising a
clamp ring
comprising a first end, a second end, an inner bore defined between the first
and second ends of
the clamp ring, the clamp ring being structured to functionally engage the
inner bore of the
compression cap; a first insulator comprising a first end, a second end, a
tubular cavity extending
axially from the second end, and an inner bore defined between the first and
second ends of the
first insulator, the first insulator being disposed within the inner bore of
the connector body and
structured to slidably engage the inner bore of the connector body, and
wherein the second end
of the first insulator functionally engages the first end of the compression
ring; a second insulator
having a first end, a second end, and an inner bore defined between the first
and second ends of
the second insulator, the second insulator disposed within the inner bore of
the connector body
and structured to slidably engage the inner bore of the connector body; and a
conductive pin
having a first end and a second end, the second end defining an axial socket
therein, wherein the
pin is disposed within and slidably engages the inner bore of the second
insulator, and wherein
the second end of the pin is structured to functionally engage the first end
of the first conductor.
[0031] The compression connector of paragraph 30, wherein the second end of
the first
insulator further comprises a tubular mandrel extending axially from the
second end, wherein the
tubular mandrel is structured to slidably engage the through hole of the
compression ring such
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that the compression ring is disposed on and functionally engages the tubular
mandrel of the first
insulator.
[0032] The compression connector of claim 17, the connector further
comprising a
deformable member having an inner bore and being disposed within the
compression cap, the
inner bore and second end of the compression cap configured to functionally
engage the
deformable member.
[0033] The compression connector of paragraph 22, the connector further
comprising a
shoulder on the inner bore of the connector body; a shoulder on the inner bore
of the
compression cap; a flange on a clamp ring, the clamp ring being disposed
within the compression
cap and the flange of the clamp ring structured to engage the inner bore of
the compression cap;
and a lip on the second end of the compression cap that is structured to
functionally engage the
deformable member.
[0034] The compression connector of paragraph 30, wherein, under the
condition that one of
the compression cap and connector body are axially advanced toward the other,
the compression
cap functionally engages the clamp ring to axially advance the clamp ring, the
clamp ring
functionally engages the clamp to axially advance the clamp toward the
compression surface, the
connector body functionally engages the second insulator to axially advance
the second
insulator, the second insulator functionally engages the conductive pin to
axially advance the
conductive pin, the conductive pin functionally engages the first insulator to
axially advance the
first insulator, the first insulator functionally engages the compression ring
to axially advance the
compression ring toward the clamp, wherein the axial advancement of the
compression cap and
the connector body toward one another results in the transmission of force
between the clamp
and the compression surface, and the first insulator axially displaces the
conductive pin through
the bore of the second insulator such that the socket of the conductive pin
functionally engages
the inner bore of the second insulator and the second end of the second
insulator functionally
engages the first end of the first insulator.
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[0035] A method of connecting a compression connector to a coaxial cable,
the method
comprising obtaining a compression cap having a first end, a second end, and
an inner bore;
inserting a clamp having an inner bore into the inner bore of the compression
cap; sliding a
prepared end of a coaxial cable into the second end of the compression cap and
through the inner
bore of the clamp until a first corrugated section of the outer conductor
protrudes beyond the first
end of the clamp and the inner bore of the clamp engages a second corrugated
section of the
outer conductor; obtaining a connector body having a first end, a second end,
and an inner bore;
coupling the compression cap to the connector body by functionally engaging
the first end of the
compression cap with the second end of the connector body; axially advancing
the compression
cap and the connector body toward one another such that the clamp axially
advances into
proximity of a compression surface disposed within the connector cap and the
first corrugated
section of the outer conductor collapses between the clamp and the compression
surface.
[0036] The method of paragraph 35, further comprising inserting a clamp
ring having an
inner bore into the inner bore of the compression cap; inserting an insulator
having a through-
hole into the inner bore of the connector body; inserting a pin in the through-
hole of the
insulator; and coupling a portion of the inner conductor of the coaxial cable
with the pin, wherein
under the condition that one of the compression cap and the connector body is
axially advanced
toward the other, the compression cap functionally engages and axially
advances the clamp ring,
which functionally engages and axially advances the clamp, which functionally
engages and
axially advances the coaxial cable, such that a center conductor of the
coaxial cable axially
protrudes beyond the first end of the clamp, and the connector body
functionally engages and
axially advances the insulator, which functionally engages and axially
advances the pin, such
that the pin functionally engages the center conductor of the coaxial cable
and the clamp and the
compression surface collapse therebetween the corrugated section of the outer
conductor.
[0037] The method of paragraph 36, further comprising inserting a
compression ring having
a first end, a second end, and an inner bore within the inner bore of the
connector body; and
inserting a second insulator having a first end, a second end, an inner bore
within the inner bore
of the connector body, and a tubular mandrel extending axially from the second
end of the
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second insulator, wherein the tubular mandrel functionally engages the inner
bore of the
compression ring and the second end of the second insulator functionally
engages the first end of
the compression ring, wherein under the condition that one of the compression
cap and the
connector body is axially advanced toward the other, the connector body
functionally engages
and axially advances the insulator, which functionally engages and axially
advances the pin,
which functionally engages and axially advances the second insulator, which
functionally
engages and axially advances the compression ring, such that the pin
functionally engages the
center conductor of the coaxial cable and the clamp and the second end of the
compression ring
collapse therebetween the corrugated section of the outer conductor.
[0038] The method of paragraph 35, wherein sliding a prepared end of a
coaxial cable into
the second end of the compression cap further comprises cutting the outer
conductor of the
coaxial cable at the valley of one of the corrugations in the outer conductor;
exposing several
successive peaks and valleys of the corrugated outer conductor by removing an
additional
portion of the outer jacket; and sliding the prepared end of the coaxial cable
into the connector
body until a second peak of the corrugated outer conductor functionally
engages the inner bore
of the clamp, wherein the clamp radially expands and contracts as the peaks
and valleys of the
corrugated outer conductor pass therethrough.
[0039] The method of paragraph 35, wherein axially advancing the
compression cap and the
connector body toward one another further comprises deforming a deformable
washer having an
inner bore by axially advancing the clamp by force through the inner bore of
the washer until the
washer deforms to permit the clamp to axially advance.
[0040] A compression connector, the connector comprising a connector body
comprising a
first end, a second end, and an inner bore defined between the first and
second ends of the body;
a compression member comprising a first end, a second end, and an inner bore
defined between
the first and second ends, the first end of the compression member being
structured to engage the
second end of the connector body; a clamp comprising a first end, a second
end, an inner bore
defined between the first and second ends of the clamp, wherein the clamp
facilitates threadable
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engagement of a coaxial cable; and a compression surface disposed within the
connector body,
wherein axial advancement of one of the connector body and the compression
member toward
the other by axial compression facilitates the clamp being axially advanced
into proximity with
the compression surface such that the clamp and the compression surface
transmit force between
one another.
[0041] The connector of paragraph 40, wherein the clamp includes inner
grooves that
correspond to an outer surface of the coaxial cable, further wherein the outer
surface has a spiral
corrugation.
[0042] The connector of paragraph 40, wherein the clamp is rigid.
[0043] The compression connector of paragraph 40, wherein the compression
surface is
integral to the connector body and protrudes radially inward from the inner
bore of the connector
body, the compression surface further comprising an oblique surface, and
wherein the clamp
further comprises an oblique surface, the oblique surface of the clamp being
configured to
compliment the oblique surface of the compression surface; wherein under the
condition that the
clamp is axially advanced toward the compression surface the oblique surface
of the clamp and
the oblique surface of the compression surface transmit force therebetween.
[0044] The compression connector of paragraph 40, further comprising a
compression ring
comprising a first end, a second end, and an inner bored defined between the
first and second
ends of the compression ring, wherein the second end of the compression ring
functions as the
compression surface and is structured such that under the condition that the
clamp is axially
advanced toward the compression surface the second end of the compression ring
and the first
end of the clamp transmit force therebetween.
[0045] The compression connector of paragraph 40, further comprising a
clamp ring
comprising a first end, a second end, an inner bore defined between the first
and second ends of
the clamp ring, the clamp ring being structured to functionally engage the
inner bore of the
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compression cap; a first insulator having a first end, a second end, and an
inner bore defined
between the first and second ends of the first insulator, the first insulator
electrically isolating a
socket and a conductive compression ring; a conductive pin having a first end,
a second end, and
a flange extending radially outward from the pin in a central region of the
pin, wherein the pin is
disposed within and slidably engages the inner bore of the insulator, the
flange being structured
to engage the second end of the insulator; and a second insulator having a
first end, a second end,
and an inner bore defined between the first and second ends of the second
insulator, the second
insulator electrically isolating the conductive pin and the connector body.
[0046] The compression member of paragraph 40, wherein, under the condition
that one of
the compression member and connector body are axially advanced toward the
other, the
compression member functionally engages the clamp ring to axially advance the
clamp ring, the
clamp ring functionally engages the clamp to axially advance the clamp toward
the compression
surface, the axial advancement of the compression member and the connector
body toward one
another results in the transmission of force between the clamp and the
compression surface.
[0047] The compression connector of paragraph 40, the connector further
comprising a
shoulder on the inner bore of the connector body; and a shoulder on the inner
bore of the
compression cap.
[0048] A connector comprising a connector body having a first end and a
second end; a
compression member configured to be axially compressed onto the connector
body; a clamp
disposed within the connector body, the clamp configured to facilitate
threadable engagement of
a coaxial cable; at least two cooperating surfaces, the cooperating surfaces
configured to collapse
one or more corrugations of an outer conductor of the coaxial cable
therebetween when the
connector is moved into a closed position by axial compression.
[0049] The connector of paragraph 48, wherein one of the least two
cooperating surfaces is a
first surface of a conductive compression ring.
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[0050] The connector of paragraph 48, wherein one of the least two
cooperating surfaces is a
surface integral with the connector body that radially inwards protrudes into
an inner bore of the
connector body.
[0051] The connector of paragraph 48, wherein one of the least two
cooperating surfaces is
an end of the clamp.
[0052] The connector of paragraph 48, wherein the clamp includes inner
grooves that
correspond to an outer surface of the coaxial cable, further wherein the outer
surface has a spiral
corrugation.
[0053] The connector of paragraph 48, wherein the clamp is rigid.
[0054] A method of connecting a compression connector to a coaxial cable,
the method
comprising providing a connector body having a first end and a second end, a
compression
member configured to be axially compressed onto the connector body, a clamp
disposed within
the connector body, the clamp configured to facilitate threadable engagement
with a coaxial
cable, at least two cooperating surfaces, the cooperating surfaces configured
to collapse one or
more corrugations of an outer conductor of the coaxial cable therebetween when
the connector
moves into a closed position; threadably advancing a coaxial cable into the
connector body,
wherein a spiral corrugated outer conductor of the coaxial cable threadably
mates with a spiral
grooved portion of an inner surface of the clamp; and axially compressing the
compression
member onto the connector body to move the connector to a closed position.
[0055] The method of paragraph 54, wherein one of the least two cooperating
surfaces is a
first surface of a conductive compression ring.
[0056] The method of paragraph 54, wherein one of the least two cooperating
surfaces is a
surface integral with the connector body that radially inwards protrudes into
an inner bore of the
connector body.
[0057] The method of paragraph 54, wherein one of the least two cooperating
surfaces is an
end of the clamp.
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[0058] The method of paragraph 54, wherein the clamp includes inner grooves
that
correspond to an outer surface of the coaxial cable, further wherein the outer
surface has a spiral
corrugation.
[0059] The method of paragraph 54, wherein the clamp is rigid.
[0060] A coaxial cable connector comprising a connector body configured to
receive a
coaxial cable; a compression member operably affixed to the connector body; a
rigid clamp
configured to facilitate threadable engagement of the coaxial cable; and a
cover disposed over at
least a portion of the connector to seal the connector against environmental
elements.
[0061] The coaxial cable connector of paragraph 60, wherein the cover is an
elastomeric
material configured to be quickly removed and installed.
[0062] The coaxial cable connector of paragraph 60, wherein the clamp has
an inner surface
that corresponds to a spiral corrugated outer conductor.
[0063] The connector of paragraph 60, further comprising a clamp ring
comprising a first
end, a second end, an inner bore defined between the first and second ends of
the clamp ring, the
clamp ring being structured to functionally engage the inner bore of the
compression cap; a first
insulator having a first end, a second end, and an inner bore defined between
the first and second
ends of the first insulator, the first insulator electrically isolating a
socket and a conductive
compression ring; a conductive pin having a first end, a second end, and a
flange extending
radially outward from the pin in a central region of the pin, wherein the pin
is disposed within
and slidably engages the inner bore of the insulator, the flange being
structured to engage the
second end of the insulator; and a second insulator having a first end, a
second end, and an inner
bore defined between the first and second ends of the second insulator, the
second insulator
electrically isolating the conductive pin and the connector body.
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[0064] A compression connector, the connector comprising a connector body
having a first
end, a second end, and an inner bore defined between the first and second ends
of the connector
body; a compression member having a first end, a second end, and an inner bore
defined between
the first and second ends, the compression member being axially movable with
respect to the
connector body; a compression surface located axially between the first end of
the connector
body and the second end of the compression member; and a clamp having a first
end, a second
end, and an inner bore defined between the first and second ends of the clamp,
wherein the
clamp is structured to engage a conductor of a coaxial cable; wherein the
clamp is at least
partially constructed from a malleable material; and wherein axial advancement
of one of the
connector body and the compression member toward the other facilitates the
clamp being axially
advanced into proximity with the compression surface, such that when a non-
uniform portion of
the conductor of the coaxial cable is compressed between the clamp and the
compression
surface, at least a portion of the clamp malleably deforms in conformance with
a variable axial
thickness of the non-uniform compressed portion of the conductor of the
coaxial cable.
[0065] The connector of paragraph 64, wherein the clamp is at least
partially formed of a
plastic material.
[0066] The connector of paragraph 65, wherein the plastic is
polyetherimide.
[0067] The connector of paragraph 64, wherein the clamp is at least
partially formed of a
malleable metal material.
[0068] The connector of paragraph 67, wherein the malleable metal material
is derived from
the group consisting of: gold, silver, lead, copper, aluminum, tin, platinum,
zinc, nickel, or alloys
derived from any combination therefrom.
[0069] The compression connector of paragraph 64, wherein the clamp is
confined between
rigid support structures preventing deformation of the clamp beyond prescribed
structural limits.
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[0070] A connector comprising a connector body having a first end and a
second end; a
compression member axially movable with respect to the connector body; a clamp
disposed
between the first end of the connector body and the second end of the
compression member, the
clamp configured to facilitate engagement of a conductor of a coaxial cable;
and at least two
cooperating surfaces, the cooperating surfaces configured to compress an
axially irregular
portion of the conductor of the coaxial cable therebetween, when one of the
connector body and
the compression member is moved toward the other, wherein one of the at least
two cooperating
structures is malleable and conforms to the axial irregularity of the portion
of the conductor of
the coaxial cable compressed therebetween.
[0071] The connector of paragraph 70, wherein the malleable cooperating
surface is a
portion of the clamp.
[0072] The connector of paragraph 71, wherein the malleable cooperating
surface is formed
of a plastic material.
[0073] The connector of paragraph 72, wherein the plastic is
polyetherimide.
[0074] The connector of paragraph 71, wherein the malleable cooperating
surface is formed
of a metal material
[0075] The connector of paragraph 70, wherein the malleable cooperating
surface is a
portion of a conductive compression ring within the connector.
[0076] The connector of paragraph 75, wherein the malleable cooperating
surface is formed
of a metal material derived from the group consisting of: gold, silver, lead,
copper, aluminum,
tin, platinum, zinc, nickel, or alloys derived from any combination therefrom.
[0077] The connector of paragraph 70, wherein the malleable cooperating
surface is a
portion of a surface integral with the connector body that radially extends to
an inner bore of the
connector body.
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[0078] A method of connecting a connector to a coaxial cable, the method
comprising
providing a connector body having a first end and a second end, a compression
member axially
moveable with respect to the connector body and disposed between the first end
of the connector
body and the second end of the compression member, a clamp configured to
facilitate
engagement of a conductor of the coaxial cable, and at least two cooperating
surfaces, wherein
one of the at least two cooperating structures is malleable; advancing a
coaxial cable into the
connector, wherein a portion of the conductor of the coaxial cable engages the
clamp; and axially
compressing the compression member with respect to the connector body, thereby
compressing
the conductor of the coaxial cable between the at least two cooperating
surfaces, such that when
a non-uniform portion of the conductor of the coaxial cable is compressed
between the clamp
and the compression surface, at least a portion of the clamp malleably deforms
in conformance
with a variable axial thickness of the non-uniform compressed portions of the
conductor of the
coaxial cable.
[0079] The method of paragraph 78, wherein the malleable cooperating
surface is a portion
of a conductive compression ring within the connector.
[0080] The method of paragraph 78, wherein the malleable cooperating
surface is a portion
of a surface integral with the connector body that radially extends to an
inner bore of the
connector body.
[0081] The method of paragraph 78, wherein the malleable cooperating
surface is a portion
of the clamp.
[0082] The method of paragraph 78, wherein the malleable cooperating
surface is formed of
a plastic material.
[0083] The method of paragraph 78, wherein the malleable cooperating
surface is formed of
a metal material.
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[0084] A coaxial cable assembly, the assembly comprising a coaxial cable
having an inner
conductor, an outer corrugated conductor, and an insulator disposed between
the inner and outer
conductors; a connector body comprising a first end, a second end, and an
inner bore defined
between the first and second ends of the body; a compression cap comprising a
first end, a
second end, and an inner bore defined between the first and second ends of the
cap, the
compression cap being axially movable with respect to the connector body; a
clamp movable
with the compression cap and structured to engage the outer corrugated
conductor of the coaxial
cable; a compression surface disposed within the connector body; and a
conductor displacement
guiding member positioned to engage and act upon the outer conductor as
movably engaged with
the clamp; wherein axial advancement of one of the connector body and the
compression cap
toward the other facilitates the clamp being axially advanced into proximity
with the
compression surface such that a corrugation of the outer conductor of the
coaxial cable is
collapsed between the clamp and the compression surface; and further wherein
structure and
positioning of the conductor displacement guiding member helps guide a leading
portion of the
outer conductor to a location folded near the collapsed corrugation portion,
as the outer
conductor is collapsed.
[0085] The coaxial cable assembly of paragraph 84, wherein the conductor
displacement
guiding member is formed of a plastic material.
[0086] The coaxial cable assembly of paragraph 85, wherein the plastic
material is
polyetherimide.
[0087] The coaxial cable assembly of paragraph 84, wherein the conductor
displacement
guiding member is a sleeve integrally extending from a first insulator of the
connector.
[0088] The coaxial cable assembly of paragraph 87, wherein the insulator
and integral
conductor displacement guiding member sleeve are formed of a plastic material.
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[0089] The coaxial cable assembly of paragraph 87, wherein the conductor
displacement
guiding member is a structural feature integrated with a conductive
compression ring, the
conductive compression ring including the compression surface.
[0090] A compression connector, the connector comprising a connector body
comprising a
first end, a second end, and an inner bore defined between the first and
second ends of the body;
a compression cap comprising a first end, a second end, and an inner bore
defined between the
first and second ends of the cap, the compression cap being axially movable
with respect to the
connector body; a clamp comprising a first end, a second end, an inner bore
defined between the
first and second ends of the clamp, wherein the clamp is movable with the
compression cap; a
compression surface disposed within the connector body, wherein axial
advancement of one of
the connector body and the compression cap toward the other facilitates the
clamp being axially
advanced into proximity with the compression surface such that the clamp and
the compression
surface transmit force between one another; and a conductor displacement
guiding member
located within the connector in a manner permitting prescribed contact with a
conductive
member of a coaxial cable to guide displacement of the conductive member, as
the cable is
compressively attached to the connector.
[0091] The connector of paragraph 91, wherein the conductor displacement
guiding member
engages and guides a leading edge of an outer conductor of the coaxial cable.
.
[0092] The compression connector of paragraph 91, wherein the conductor
displacement
guiding member is a structural feature integrated with a conductive
compression ring, the
conductive compression ring including the compression surface.
[0093] The compression connector of paragraph 91, further comprising a
first insulator,
wherein the conductor displacement guiding member is a sleeve integrally
extending from the
first insulator of the connector and positioned so as to contact and then act
upon a leading edge
of an outer conductor of the coaxial cable as the cable is displaced during
compressive
attachment to the connector.
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[0094] The compression connector of paragraph 91, wherein the conductor
displacement
guiding member is a bushing located to guide displacement of the conductive
member during
compressive attachment of the cable to the connector.
[0095] The compression connector of paragraph 91, wherein the conductor
displacement
guiding member is formed of a plastic material.
[0096] The compression connector of paragraph 95, wherein the plastic
material is
polyetherimide.
[0097] A method of facilitating impedance matching between a coaxial cable
and a coaxial
cable connector, the method comprising providing a connector body comprising a
first end, a
second end, and an inner bore defined between the first and second ends of the
body; providing a
compression cap comprising a first end, a second end, and an inner bore
defined between the first
and second ends of the cap, the compression cap being axially movable with
respect to the
connector body; providing a clamp comprising a first end, a second end, an
inner bore defined
between the first and second ends of the clamp, wherein the clamp is movable
with the
compression cap; providing a compression surface disposed within the connector
body, wherein
axial advancement of one of the connector body and the compression cap toward
the other
facilitates the clamp being axially advanced into proximity with the
compression surface such
that the clamp and the compression surface transmit force between one another;
providing a
conductor displacement guiding member located within the connector in a manner
permitting
prescribed contact with a conductive member of a coaxial cable to guide
displacement of the
conductive member, as the cable is compressively attached to the connector;
axially advancing
the compression cap and the connector body toward one another such that the
clamp axially
advances into proximity of a compression surface disposed within the connector
cap and a
portion of an outer conductor of the coaxial cable collapses between the clamp
and the
compression surface; and guiding a leading portion of the outer conductor to a
location folded
near the collapsed corrugation portion, by engagement with the conductor
displacement guiding
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member as the outer conductor is collapsed, to minimize passive
intermodulation and return loss
associated with the leading portion of the outer conductor.
[0098] The method of paragraph 97, further comprising providing an
insulator in contact
with the leading portion of the outer conductor by incorporation of a plastic
conductor
displacement guiding member.
[0099] The method of paragraph 97, wherein the conductor displacement
guiding member
includes a ramped guiding surface, configured to contact and then act upon the
leading portion,
as the outer conductor is displaced, such that a guided collapsed corrugation
portion operably
resides between cooperating surfaces of a conductive compression ring and the
movable clamp.
[00100] The method of paragraph 97, wherein the conductor displacement guiding
member is
formed of a plastic material.
[00101] The method of paragraph 100, wherein the plastic material is
polyetherimide.
[00102] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present
invention will be
apparent from the following more detailed description of the particular
embodiments of the
invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00103] The features described herein can be better understood with reference
to the drawings
described below. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead
generally being
placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the drawings,
like numerals are used
to indicate like parts throughout the various views.
[00104] FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the connector in a first
state, and a coaxial
cable having a corrugated outer conductor, and an end prepared for insertion
into the connector;
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[00105] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
connector in a first
state, and a partial cut-away view of the prepared end of the coaxial cable;
[00106] FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
connector in a first
state, with the prepared end of the coaxial cable inserted therein;
[00107] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
connector in a first
state, with the prepared end of the coaxial cable inserted therein;
[00108] FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
connector;
[00109] FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
connector; and
[00110] FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
connector.
[00111] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the connector,
with the prepared
end of the coaxial cable inserted therein;
[00112] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the connector;
[00113] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of an embodiment of the connector of FIG.
9;
[00114] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of an embodiment of the connector;
[00115] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the connector;
[00116] FIG. 13 is an embodiment of the connector of FIG. 12 after compression
of the outer
conductor of the cable;
[00117] FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the connector;
and
[00118] FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the connector.
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[00119] FIG. 16 depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a connector
in an open
position prior to insertion of a coaxial cable;
[00120] FIG. 17 depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a connector
in a dos
position without a coaxial cable;
[00121] FIG. 18 depicts a cross-sec ;one view of an em. diment of a connector
in a closed
position wi if a coaxial cable fully i eadsbly atdv. iced within the =nee, .r;
[00122] FIG. 19 depicts a perspective view of i embodiment of a coaxial cable
connector
having a cover in a first *skim;
[00123] FIG. 20 depicts a perspective view of an embo .1' cat of the coaxial
cable connector
ving a cover in a second, se: 7 is position.
[00124] FIG. 211 depicts a blown-up portion of a cross-sectional view of an
embodiment of a
coaxial cable connector as descri herein.
[00125] FIG. 22 is a blown-up cross-section view of a portion of an embo uent
of a
connector as a ched to a coaxial cable; and
[00126] FIG. 23 is a blown-up cross-section view of a portion of alto iler
embodiment of a
connector as attached to a coaxial cable.
PETAILE DESCRIFITI N OF THE E iIODTh4tENTS
[00127] Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of the connector 10
and an
annularly corrugated coaxial cable 200 with a prepared end 210 are shown
aligned on a common
central axis 2. Since the connector 10 and the annularly corrugated coaxial
cable 200 are
generally axially symmetric about their central axis 2, the "radially outward"
direction in the
following description is considered to be outwardly away from the central axis
2. Conversely,
"radially inward" wi lc respect to connector component motion is considered to
be invvar.i y
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toward the central axis 2. Moreover, "axial advancement" of the cable 200 with
respect to the
connector 10 and "axial advancement" of components of the connector 10 with
respect to one
another is considered to be along the length of the axis 2.
[00128] The coaxial cable 200 that may be coupled to the connector of the one
embodiment is
comprised of a solid center conductor 202 surrounded by an insulator 204, a
corrugated outer
conductor 206 surrounding the insulator 204, and an insulative jacket 208
surrounding the outer
conductor 206. The prepared end 210 of the coaxial cable 200 is comprised of
an exposed
length 212 of the center conductor 202, an exposed length of the outer
conductor 206 such that at
least a first exposed outer conductor corrugation 214 between first and second
recessed valleys
216 and 218 and a second exposed outer conductor corrugation 220 between
second and third
recessed valleys 218 and 222 are exposed. The leading edge 226 of the exposed
outer conductor
206 should be configured (i.e. cut) such that the leading edge 226 is part of
one the recessed
valleys of the corrugated outer conductor 206, the advantages of which will be
described in detail
below. The insulator 204 is made of a soft, flexible material, such as a
polymer foam. A portion
of the insulator 204 may be removed from the prepared end 210, thereby
providing a "cored out"
annular cavity 224 for receiving a portion of a component of the connector 10.
[00129] FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
connector 10 in a first
state. The connector 10 is comprised of a tubular connector body 20 comprising
a first end 22, a
second end 24, and an inner bore 26. The connector body 20 is comprised of a
conductive
material. The connector 10 is further comprised of a first insulator 40 is
disposed within the
inner bore 26 of the tubular connector body 20. The first insulator 40 is
comprised of a first
surface 42, a second surface 48, a through hole 44, and a tubular mandrel 46
extending axially
from the second surface 48 of the first insulator 40. The connector 10 is
further comprised of a
compression cap 60 comprising a first end 62, a second end 64, and an inner
bore 66 having a
central shoulder 68. The compression cap 60 is configured to couple to the
tubular connector
body 20, and more specifically to slidably engage the second end 24 of the
body 20.
[00130] The connector 10 is further comprised of means for collapsing the
first exposed
corrugation 214 of the outer conductor 206 of the coaxial cable 200 in the
axial direction when
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the compression cap 60 engages the connector body 20 and is axially advanced
further toward
the connector body 20. The particular components of the connector 10 and the
means for
collapsing the outer conductor are described herein below.
[00131] The connector 10 is further comprised of a conductive compression ring
80 that
comprises a first surface 84 that engages the second surface 48 of the first
insulator 40, and a
second surface 86 that functions as a compression surface that assists in the
collapsing of the first
exposed corrugation 214 of the outer conductor 206 of the coaxial cable 200.
The compression
ring 80 comprises a through hole 82 that engages the tubular mandrel 46 of the
first insulator 40,
such that the tubular mandrel 46 fits within and slidably engages the through
hole 82.
[00132] The connector 10 is further comprised of an expandable clamp 90 that
is structured to
slide within the connector 10 and functionally engage the inner bore 26 of the
connector body
20. The clamp 90 comprises a first end 92, a second end 94, a central
passageway 96, and a
central annular recess 100 defined between a first protruded edge 98 that
extends radially inward
proximate the first end 92 and a second protruded edge 102 that extends
radially inward
proximate the second end 94. The first end 92 of the clamp 90 functions as
another compression
surface that assists in the collapsing of the first exposed corrugation 214 of
the outer conductor
206 of the coaxial cable 200, under the condition that the compression
surface, mentioned above,
is brought into proximity with the first end 92 of the clamp 90, as one of the
compression cap 60
and the connector body 20 is axially advanced toward the other.
[00133] The connector 10 is further comprised of a clamp push ring 120 that is
comprised of a
flange 122 having an outer shoulder 124 that is structurally configured to
slidably engage the
inner bore 66 of the compression cap 60 and functionally engage the central
shoulder of 68 of the
compression cap 60. The clamp push ring 120 further comprises a first end 126
that is structured
to functionally engage the second end 94 of the expandable clamp 90.
[00134] In other embodiments, the compression cap 60 is structured to
functionally engage
the clamp 90 directly, such that axial advancement of the compression cap 60
results in the axial
advancement of the clamp 90.
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[00135] The prepared cable end 210 is disposable in the connector 10, and is
shown disposed
within the connector 10 in FIG. 4, the connector 10 and the cable 200 being in
a first state.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, under the condition that the prepared cable end
210 is inserted into
the connector 10, the exposed first corrugation 214 of the cable end 210 is
disposed within an
annular volume 89 formed between the first end 92 of the expandable clamp 90
and the second
surface 86 of the compression ring 80. Additionally, the second exposed
corrugation 220 is
disposed within the central annular recess 100 of the expandable clamp 90, and
the tubular
mandrel 46 extends axially within the annular cavity 224.
[00136] To reach the first position disclosed in FIG. 4, the prepared cable
end 210 is inserted
into the inner bore 66 of the compression cap 60 until the leading edge 226 of
the corrugated
outer conductor 206 engages the expandable clamp 90, as shown in FIG. 3. Upon
engagement,
the cable 200 is further axially advanced through the central passageway 96 so
that the
expandable clamp 90 expands radially outward to allow the first exposed
corrugation 214 of the
cable 200 to pass through the central passageway 96 of the clamp 90, and then
contracts radially
inward to contain the second exposed corrugation 220 of the cable 200 within
the central annular
recess 100 of the clamp 90. More specifically, as the first exposed
corrugation 214 of the coaxial
cable 200 engages the second protruded edge 102 of the expandable clamp 90,
the angled first
portion 217 of the first exposed corrugation 214 engages the angled second
portion 97 of the
second protruded edge 102 of the expandable clamp 90. This provides a camming
action,
wherein the first exposed corrugation 214 acts as a cam lobe, and the second
protruded edge 102
of the expandable clamp 90 acts as a cam follower, thereby radially expanding
the expandable
clamp 90, as indicated in FIG. 3 by arrows 91.
[00137] The insertion of the cable end 210, as described above, also provides
an axial force
against the expandable clamp 90, as indicated by arrow 93. However, a
deformable washer 130
is positioned, in the first state, within the connector 10 between the second
end 24 of the
conductive tubular body 20 and the first end 92 of the expandable clamp 90,
such that the
deformable washer 130 engages the first end 92 of the expandable clamp 90 and
engages the
second end 24 of the tubular connector body 20. The deformable washer 130,
being engaged by
the tubular connector body 20, resists the axial force 93 and prevents the
expandable clamp 90
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from being advanced axially by the inserted cable end 210. The deformable
washer 130 also acts
as a bearing against which the first end 92 of the expandable clamp 90 slides
as the expandable
clamp 90 radially expands and contracts as exposed corrugations 214 and 220
pass through the
second protruded edge 102, as described above.
[00138] To allow the expandable clamp 90 to radially expand and contract, the
expandable
clamp 90 may be comprised of a plurality of sectors, for example sectors 104
and 106, that
individually radially displace in relation to one another as the corrugated
cable 200 passes
therethrough. The plurality of sectors collectively comprise the expandable
clamp 90, including
the central annular recess 100, the first protruded edge 98, and the second
protruded edge 102.
To hold the individual sectors of the expandable clamp 90 in relative
proximity to one another,
the expandable clamp 90 may be further comprised of an elastic member 108
disposed around
the radially displaceable sectors 104/106, thereby retaining the relative
position of the sectors
104 and 106 with respect to one another, including during the radial expansion
and contraction
capability when the corrugation 214 and/or 220 of the prepared cable end 210
passes through
and/or into the clamp 90. In one embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, the
elastic member 108
may be formed as an elastic ring. The elastic ring 108 may have a circular
cross-section as
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, or the elastic member 108 may have a square,
rectangular, or other cross
sectional shape. The expandable clamp 90 may be provided on its outer
periphery 95 with a
correspondingly shaped groove which engages and the elastic member 108 and
maintains the
relative position of the elastic member 108 in relation to the clamp 90. The
elastic member 108
may be made of an elastomer such as a rubber. In one embodiment, the elastic
ring may be made
of rubber or a rubber-like material. Alternatively, the elastic member 108 may
be formed as a
toroidal spring, such as a wound metal wire spring commonly used in lip seals.
In another
embodiment (not shown), the elastic member 108 may be formed as an elastic
sleeve, which
encloses a portion of the outer periphery 95 of the expandable clamp 90. The
elastic sleeve may
also be made of an elastomer such as a rubber.
[00139] Referring again to FIG. 4, the prepared cable end 210 and the
connector 10 are shown
in the first state. The expandable clamp 90 has expanded radially to allow the
first exposed
corrugation 214 of the cable 200 to pass therethrough, and then contracted
radially to contain the
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second exposed corrugation 220 of the cable 200 within the central annular
recess 101 of the
clamp 90. The exposed first corrugation 214 of the cable end 210 is disposed
within the annular
volume 89 formed between the first end 92 of the expandable clamp 90 and the
second surface
86 of the compression ring 80, and the tubular mandrel 46 extends axially
within the annular
cavity 224. The expandable clamp 90 of the connector 10 retains the cable 200
in place.
Thereafter, under the condition that the compression cap 60 is axially
advanced, the cable 200
advances therewith due to the structural engagement of the expandable clamp
90, the
compression cap 60, and the outer conductor 206.
[00140] In the first state, the connector 10 and cable 200 are positioned for
the compression
cap 60 and the tubular connector body 20 to be further axially advanced toward
one another.
This is achieved by one of the following: the compression cap 60 being axially
advanced toward
the connector body 20 as the connector body 20 is held in place; the connector
body 20 being
axially advanced toward the compression cap 60 as the compression cap 60 is
held in place; or
each of the compression cap 60 and connector body 20 being axially advanced
toward one
another concurrently. The axial advancement of the compression cap 60 and the
connector body
20 towards one another results in the compression cap 60 and the connector
body 20 reaching a
second state, wherein the cable 200 within the compression cap 60, the
compression cap 60, and
the connector body 20, are sufficiently coupled mechanically and electrically
to allow the cable
200 to pass its signal through the connector 10 to the port (not shown) to
which the connector 10
is attached. In other words, in the second state, as shown in FIG. 5, the
connector 10 establishes
the desired operational electrical and mechanical connections between the
cable 200, the
connector 10, and the port (not shown).
[00141] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the compression cap 60 and
the tubular
connector body 20 are structured to slidably engage one another and move in an
opposing axial
direction with respect to one another from the first state of FIG. 4 to the
second state of FIG. 5.
The axial movement of the compression cap 60 toward the connector body 20
results in the
collapsing of the first exposed corrugation 214 of the outer conductor 206 of
the coaxial cable
200 between the a compression surface, the first end 92 of the expandable
clamp 90, and another
compression surface, the second surface 86 of the conductive compression ring
80, as shown in
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FIG. 5. The axial advancement of the compression cap 60 toward the connector
body 20
facilitates the expandable clamp 90 moving axially within the inner bore 26 of
the tubular
connector body 20 toward the conductive compression ring 80. This axial
displacement of the
expandable clamp 90 results in the expandable clamp 90 deforming an inner
region 132 of the
deformable washer 130, such that the expandable clamp 90 axially advances past
the washer 130
through the deformed inner region 132 of the washer 30 toward the compression
ring 80.
Moreover, this axial advancement of the expandable clamp 90 reduces the
annular volume 89
between the first end 92 of the expandable clamp 90 and the second surface 86
of the
compression ring 80. The reduction of the annular volume 89 results in the
first exposed
corrugation 214 of the outer conductor 206 of the coaxial cable 200 collapsing
between the
compression surfaces, or between the first end 92 of the expandable clamp 90
and the second
surface 86 of the conductive compression ring 80. In this second state, the
compression surfaces,
described above, collapse the first exposed corrugation 214 into a collapsed
corrugation 215, the
collapsed corrugation 215 being defined as the entire section of the first
exposed corrugation 214
that has been folded upon itself, or buckled upon itself, to create a double
thickness of the outer
conductor 206. Specifically, in one embodiment, the collapsed corrugation 215
comprises two
thicknesses of the outer conductor 206 in at least a portion of the collapsed
corrugation 215. In
another embodiment, the collapsed corrugation 215 comprises two thicknesses of
the outer
conductor 206 in a majority of the collapsed corrugation 215. In yet another
embodiment, the
collapsed corrugation 215 comprises two thicknesses of the outer conductor 206
in the entirety of
the collapsed corrugation 215. The compression surfaces further press the
collapsed corrugation
215 therebetween to facilitate a functional electrical connection between the
corrugated outer
conductor 206 of the cable 200 and the tubular connector body 20. The tubular
mandrel 46
extends axially into the annular cavity 224, thereby insulating the corrugated
outer conductor 206
from the central conductor 202.
[00142] The compression ring 80, against which the collapsed corrugation 215
is pressed in
the second state, may further comprise an annular recess 88 in the second
surface 86, the annular
recess 88 being structured to receive the leading edge 226 of the first
exposed corrugation 214,
as shown in FIG. 4. Under the condition that the connector 10 is transitioned
from the first state
to the second state, the leading edge 226 enters the annular recess 88. The
axial movement of the
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compression surfaces, 92 and 86, toward one another results in the leading
edge 226 engaging
the annular recess 88 and buckling within the annular recess 88 to assume the
shape of the
annular recess 88. The remaining portion of the collapsed corrugation 215 is
compressed
between the compression surfaces, 92 and 86, such that the collapsed
corrugation 215 is buckled
on itself between the compression surfaces 92 and 86. This two-stage buckling
of the collapsed
corrugation 215 enhances the electrical and mechanical connections between the
corresponding
components of the connector 10.
[00143] The expandable clamp 90 may be further comprised of a beveled edge 110
proximate
the first end 92, which facilitates displacement of the deformable washer 130
when the
compression cap 60 is axially advanced toward the connector body 20, as
explained above.
[00144] Also, the inner region 132 of the deformable washer 130 may be
provided with score
marks, slits, or other stress-concentrators (not shown) to facilitate the
deformation of the washer
130. The deformable washer 130 is made of a material that is sufficiently
rigid to serve as a stop
for the expandable clamp 90 when the prepared end 210 of a corrugated cable
200 is inserted
into the connector 10, but is also sufficiently flexible so as to deform when
the expandable clamp
90 is axially advanced toward the tubular connector body 20 during transition
between the first
and second states of the connector 10. The deformable washer 130 may be made
of a thin, soft
metal, a plastic, or other like material that allows the washer 130 to perform
its function
described above.
[00145] Referring again to FIG. 2, the cable connector 10 may be further
comprised of a
second insulator 150 disposed within the inner bore 26 of the tubular
connector body 20 firstly
from the first insulator 40. The second insulator 150 may be comprised of a
first end 152, a
second end 156, a central through-bore 158, and a flange 154 that is
structurally configured to
slidably engage the inner bore 26 of the tubular connector body 20 and
configured to engage a
shoulder 28 on the inner bore 26 of the tubular connector body 20. The
connector 10 may
further include a conductive central pin 170 disposed within the central
through-bore 158 of the
second insulator 150. The conductive central pin 170 may be comprised of a
first end 172, a
second end 174, and an axial socket 176 extending axially from the second end
174.
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[00146] Referring also to FIGS. 4 and 5, when the coaxial cable 200 is
inserted into the
connector 10, the axial socket 176 of the central pin 170 receives the exposed
tip 212 of the
center conductor 202 of the cable 200. A plurality of slits 178 running
axially along the length
of the socket 176 may be cut into the central pin 170 at predetermined
intervals in the socket
176, thereby defining a plurality of fingers 179 between the slits 178 which
are structurally
configured to expand when the exposed tip 212 of the prepared cable 210 is
inserted into the
axial socket 176.
[00147] The first surface 42 of the first insulator 40 may further comprise an
annular rim 52
extending axially from the first surface 42, the annular rim 52 defining an
annular hollow that is
structured to receive the second end 174 of the central pin 170 under the
condition that the
compression cap 60 is axially advanced toward the tubular connector body 20
from the first state
to the second state. Referring to FIG. 6, axial advancement of the compression
cap 60 toward
the connector body 20 to the second state results in the first surface 42 of
the first insulator 40
engaging the second end 174 of the conductive central pin 170, as well as
axially displacing the
conductive central pin 170 within the through-bore 158 of the second insulator
150. Referring
also to FIG. 7, axial advancement of the compression cap 60 toward the
connector body 20 to the
second state results in the first surface 42 of the first insulator 40
engaging the second end 156 of
the second insulator 150. The second end 156 of the second insulator 150 may
further comprise
an annular recess 160 that is structured to receive the annular rim 52 of the
first insulator 40.
[00148] The second state, shown in FIG. 7, is the configuration in which the
connector 10 and
the cable 20 are mechanically and electrically coupled. Specifically, in the
second state, the
connector 10 is electrically and mechanically coupled to the cable 200 to
allow the cable 200 to
transmit signals through the connector 10 and to the port (not shown) to which
the connector 10
is further coupled. In the second state, the central pin 170 has been axially
advanced beyond the
first end 152 of the second insulator 150, so that the central pin 170 is
connectable to a central
socket of the port (not shown). Additionally, at least a portion of the
deformable washer 130 is
compressed and contained between the clamp push ring 120, the expandable clamp
90, and the
tubular connector body 20. Some other portion of the deformable washer 130 may
be disposed
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as shavings or other small particles (not shown) between the expandable clamp
90 and the
tubular connector body 20.
[00149] The connector 10 may be further configured such that axial advancement
of the
compression cap 60 to the second state results in the first end 126 of the
clamp push ring 120
engaging the second end 24 of the tubular connector body 20. Also, axial
advancement of the
compression cap 60 to the second state results in a first shoulder 70 on the
inner bore 66 of the
compression cap 60 to engage an outer shoulder 30 on the tubular connector
body 20. These
contacts between the respective parts may function as additional stops when
axially advancing
the cap 60 onto the tubular connector body 20.
[00150] It is to be understood that the order of the movement of the parts
within the connector
10, and the collapse of the outermost corrugation 214 of the prepared cable
end 210 may vary
from that described above and depicted in FIGS. 4 ¨ 7. For example, the first
insulator 40 and
conductive compression ring 80 have interference fits within the inner bore 26
of the tubular
connector body 20. Therefore, axial advancement of these parts 40 and 80
within the bore 26 of
the tubular connector body 20 is resisted by friction therewith. If this
frictional force of
resistance to motion of the first insulator 40 and conductive compression ring
80 is less than the
force required to collapse the outermost exposed corrugation 214 of the
coaxial cable 200, then
the first insulator 40 and conductive compression ring 80 may axially advance
within the bore 26
of the tubular connector body 20 before the outermost exposed corrugation 214
of the coaxial
cable 200 collapses.
[00151] Additionally, for example, axial advancement of the compression cap 60
toward the
connector body 20 may first cause the first surface 42 of the first insulator
40 to engage the
second end 174 of the conductive central pin 170 and axially advance the
conductive central pin
170 within the through-bore 158 of the second insulator 150. The compression
cap 60 may be
further advanced axially on the tubular connector body 20 to result in the
first surface 42 of the
first insulator 40 engaging the second end 156 of the second insulator 150.
The compression cap
60 may be further advanced axially on the tubular connector body 20 to result
in the expandable
clamp 90 axially advancing within the inner bore 26 of the tubular connector
body 20 toward the
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conductive compression ring 80, thereby reducing the annular volume 89 between
the first end
92 of the expandable clamp 90 and the second surface 86 of the compression
ring 80, and
collapsing the first exposed corrugation 214. Further, for example, if the
frictional resistance to
motion of the first insulator 40 and conductive compression ring 80 within the
tubular connector
body 20 is approximately equal to the force required to collapse the outermost
exposed
corrugation 214, the displacement of these internal components 40 and 80
within the tubular
connector body 20 and the collapse of the first most corrugation 214 of the
cable 200 may occur
concurrently as the compression cap 60 is axially advanced toward the
connector body 20 from
the first state to the second state.
[00152] Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 7, the connector 10 may include a first
seal 12, such as
an 0-ring, that is disposed within a groove 13 (labeled in FIG. 8) on the
outer periphery of the
connector body and resides between the tubular connector body 20 and the inner
bore 66 of the
compression cap 60 under the condition that the connector 10 is in the second
state. The
connector 10 may further include a second seal 14 that is contained within the
inner bore 66 and
a second flange 72 of the compression cap 60. Referring also to FIGS. 4 and 5,
the components
of the connector 10 may be dimensioned such that prior to the cap 60 being
axially advanced
toward the tubular connector body 20 there is a small gap 16 between the outer
shoulder 124 of
the clamp push ring 120 and the central shoulder 68 of the compression cap 60.
When the
compression cap 60 is axially advanced toward the connector body 20 the gap 16
is eliminated.
The removal of the gap 16 places the second seal 14 in an axially compressed
condition, thereby
causing a radial expansion of the seal 14 that in turn provides effective
sealing between the
jacket 208 of the cable 200 and the inner bore 66 of the compression cap 60.
With the
compression cap 60 sealed at one of its ends to the tubular connector body 20
by the seal 12, and
sealed at the other of its ends to the cable 200 by the seal 14, moisture is
prevented from entering
the mechanically and electrically coupled connector 10 and cable 200, thereby
preserving the
electrical and mechanical connection between the connector and the cable.
[00153] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7, the connector 10 may be provided with a
fastener 180,
such as a nut for engagement to the port (not shown). The fastener 180 may
include a seal 182
for sealing to the port. Alternatively, the connector 10 may be provided with
male threads for
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connection to a female port. The connector 10 may also be configured as an
angled connector,
such as a 90 degree elbow connector.
[00154] Referring to FIG. 8, another embodiment of the connector 10 and the
annularly
corrugated coaxial cable 200 with the prepared end 210 are shown aligned on a
common central
axis 2. FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the exemplary compression
connector 10 during
insertion of the prepared segment 210 of annular corrugated coaxial cable 200.
The coaxial
cable 200 of one embodiment is comprised of a hollow center conductor 202
surrounded by an
insulator 204, a corrugated outer conductor 206 surrounding the insulator 204,
and an insulative
jacket 208 surrounding the outer conductor 206. The prepared end 210 of the
coaxial cable 200
is comprised of an exposed length of the center conductor 202, the insulator
204, and the
corrugated outer conductor 206. The outer conductor 206 is exposed by removing
the insulative
jacket 208 around the conductor 206 until at least a first exposed outer
conductor corrugation
214 between first and second recessed valleys 216 and 218 and a second exposed
outer
conductor corrugation 220 between second and third recessed valleys 218 and
222 are exposed.
The prepared end 210 should be configured (i.e. cut) such that the leading
edge 226 of the outer
conductor 206 is within one of the recessed valleys of the corrugated outer
conductor 206, the
advantages of which will be described in detail below. The insulator 204 is
made of a soft,
flexible material, such as a polymer foam.
[00155] The connector 10 of the various embodiments described herein is
advantageous in
that it is simple to install in a factory or field setting and it is reliably
effective at establishing and
maintaining strong contact forces between the connector 10 and the annular
corrugated coaxial
cable 200.
[00156] The connector 10 of one embodiment includes the conductive pin 170 and
the
insulator 150, the insulator 150 being disposed within the connector body 20
and slidably
engaged with the inner bore 26 of the connector body 20. The insulator 150 is
disposed around
the conductive pin 170 so as to hold the conductive pin 170 in place. Further,
the insulator 150
is positioned radially between the conductive pin 170 and the connector body
22. The
conductive pin 170 provides the connection to the hollow center conductor 202
of the prepared
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coaxial cable segment 210 to which the connector 10 is being connected, and
the insulator 150
electrically insulates the conductive pin 170 from the connector body 22 and
the connector body
20. In the disclosed embodiment, the conductive pin 170 may have outwardly
expanding
flexible tines 332 to engage the inner diameter of the hollow conductor 202,
and a retaining
element 334 to secure the tines 332 from axial movement.
[00157] In one embodiment, the inner bore 26 of the connector body 20 further
comprises an
engagement region 336, shown in FIG. 8 and enlarged in FIG. 11. The engagement
region 336
comprises a first region 335 that extends radially inward from the inner bore
26 of the connector
body 20 and a second region 337 that extends both radially inward and axially
toward the
prepared end 210 of the coaxial cable 200. The engagement region 336 functions
as a
compression surface, similar to the compression surfaces 92 and 86 in
embodiments described
above, in that the engagement region 336 assists in the collapse of the
corrugated outer conductor
214. In one embodiment, second region 337 has an acute angle a from the
longitudinal axis 2.
The angle may be between 5 degrees and 60 degrees. In the disclosed
embodiment, the angle of
the second region 337 is approximately 45 degrees. The proximal end of the
engagement region
336 may further include a planar face 338 substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis 2.
The planar face 338 and the engagement region 336 work in concert to engage
and deform the
corrugated outer conductor 214 until it collapses on itself to form the
collapsed corrugated outer
conductor 215, under the condition that the connector is transitioned from the
first state, shown
in FIG. 8, to the second state, shown in FIG. 9.
[00158] In one embodiment, the second end 24 of the connector body 20 further
comprises a
beveled edge 342 to assist in the functional engagement of the connector body
20 with the clamp
90 as the connector 10 transitions from the first state to the second state.
More specifically, the
beveled edge 342 permits the clamp 90 to slidably engage the beveled edge 342
so as to ensure
that the outer periphery 95 of the clamp 90 slidably engages the inner bore 26
of the connector
body 20 under the condition that the compression cap 60 is axially advanced
toward the
connector body 20 from the first state to the second state. For example,
transition from the first
state to the second state results in the advancement of the compression cap 60
so that the
shoulder 68 of the compression cap 60 engages the clamp push ring 120, which
engages the
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clamp 90, which engagement axially advances the clamp 90 toward the connector
body 20, such
that the clamp 90 engages the beveled edge 342 of the connector body 20 to
guide the outer
periphery 95 of the clamp 90 to slidably and functionally engage the inner
bore 26 of the
connector body in the second state.
[00159] In one embodiment, the clamp 90 may also have a beveled edge 382 on
the first end
92. The beveled edge 382 functions as a compression surface, similar to the
compression
surfaces 92 and 86 in the embodiments described above. Moreover, the beveled
edge 382 is
structurally compatible with the engagement region 336, such that the beveled
edge 382 and the
engagement region 336 work in concert to engage and deform the corrugated
outer conductor
214 under the condition that the connector is transitioned from the first
state to the second state.
In addition, the clamp 90 may have a plurality of elastic members 108 disposed
around the outer
periphery 95 thereof, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The elastic members 108 may
be tension rings
that serve to hold the individual sectors of the clamp 90 in a slightly open
or expanded position.
The tension rings may be fabricated from metal or plastic.
[00160] In one exemplary operation, the connector 10 of the various
embodiments may be joined
to the coaxial cable segment 200 generally in the following manner. The
corrugated coaxial cable
segment 200 may be prepared for insertion by cutting the cable at one of the
corrugation valleys, and
specifically at the first corrugation valley 216, or at least near the first
corrugation valley 216. This
offers an advantage over many prior art cable connectors that require cutting
the corrugation at a
peak, which can be difficult. After the cable 200 has been cut at any of the
corrugation valleys to
expose the first corrugation valley 216, the cable 200 can be prepared
according to the respective
descriptions provided above.
[00161] The connector 10 is thereafter pre-assembled to its first state.
The internal elements 14,
120, 90, and 130 may be held in axial compression by inserting the seal 14
into the bore 66 of the cap
60 until it abuts the second flange 72; inserting the plush clamp ring 120
into the bore 66 of the cap
60 until it abuts with the seal 14; inserting the clamp 90 until it abuts with
the clamp push ring 120;
and inserting the washer 130 into the bore 66 of the cap 60 until it abuts
with the clamp 90. The
internal elements 150 and 170 can also be held in axial compression by
inserting the insulator 150
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into the bore 26 of the connector body 20 until the insulator abuts the
shoulder 28 on the inner bore
26; inserting the conductive pin 170 into the central through-bore 158 of the
insulator 150. In the
case of the embodiments described above, the first insulator 40 may be
inserted within the bore
26 of the connector body 20 and thereafter the compression ring 80 may be
inserted onto the
tubular mandrel 46 of the first insulator 40. The compression cap 60 and the
connector body may
thereafter be initially coupled together by slidably engaging the compression
cap 60 with the body 20
to establish the first state of the connector 10. In the embodiments shown,
the bore 66 of the cap 60
slidably engages the outer periphery of the connector body 20, until the
washer 130 engages not only
the clamp 90 within the compression cap 60 but also engages the second end 24
of the connector
body 22, thus holding the respective components in place in the first state.
[00162] In the disclosed embodiments, the insertion of the coaxial cable 200
to the first state may
be performed by hand. The corrugated coaxial cable 200 is the annular variety,
although the
invention is not so limited. The annular corrugations in the outer conductor
206 do not allow the
clamp 90 to be threaded into place, as may be the case for spiral corrugated
coaxial cable segments.
Therefore, the individual sectors of the clamp 90 must spread radially outward
to allow the clamp 90
to clear the corrugated sections of the outer conductor 206 in the coaxial
cable 200. In one
embodiment, the elastic member 108 is flexible and allows the clamp 90 to
spread radially outward
while constraining individual sectors of the clamp 90 from becoming free. As
the cable 200 is
pushed into the connector 10 through the compression cap 60, the clamp 90
extends radially outward
to clear the corrugated peaks and valleys of the outer conductor 206, then
settles radially inward into
the corrugated valleys.
[00163] In the embodiments herein described, the transition of the connector
10 from the first
state to the second state may be performed by hand or in most cases by a
hydraulic tool (not shown).
The tool engages the cap 60 and the connector body 20 and squeezes them
together, thereby moving
the connector 10 to the second state. As the hydraulic tool axially displaces
the cap 60 and the body
20 together, the shoulder 68 on the cap bore 66 engages the flange 122 of the
clamp push ring 120.
Further axial advancement of the cap 60 and body 20 toward one another results
in the clamp push
ring 120 engaging the clamp 90. Because the clamp 90 is engaged with the outer
conductor 206 of
the cable 200, the cable 200 will also travel axially towards the connector
body 20 as the clamp 90
travels axially towards the connector body 20. As noted above, the washer 130
is designed flexible
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enough that the clamp 90 pushes through the washer 130. Further advancement of
the cap 60 results
in the clamp 90 and cable 200 approaching the connector body 20.
[00164] In the another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the leading edge 226 of
the first exposed
outer conductor corrugation 214 encounters the engagement region 336 of the
connector body 20
and is deformed in a manner that provides superior electrical contact.
Recalling that the outer
conductor 206 has been trimmed at the corrugation valley 216, in one
embodiment the planar face
338 and the engagement region 336 cause the outer conductor 214 to fold upon
itself and become
wedged between the engagement region 336 of the connector body 20 and the
clamp engagement
region 382 of the clamp 90. The folding action creates two thicknesses of
conductive outer
conductor 214, as the conductor 214 is collapsed onto itself to create the
collapsed outer conductor
215, which significantly improves electrical contact. FIG. 10 illustrates the
folded conductor 215 in
an enlarged view. The connector body engagement region 336, including sections
335 and 337,
folded outer conductor 215, and clamp engagement region 382 are depicted in
slightly exploded view
to delineate the various components. In actuality, the components are tightly
compressed together.
[00165] FIG. 10 further illustrates the arrangement of components that
provide frictional forces to
lock the connector 10 in place. The outer diameter of the clamp 90 and the
inner diameter of the
connector body 20 are sized to provide a slight radial interference fit (RIF).
In concert with the radial
and axial friction forces provided by compression of the first exposed outer
conductor corrugation
214 between the clamp 90 and the connector body 20, the connector 10, once
axially advanced into
the second state, cannot be taken apart without excessive force.
[00166] FIG. 11 depicts a scenario to illustrate the folding action of the
first exposed outer
conductor corrugation 214. The outer conductor 214 is trimmed approximately at
the first
corrugation valley 216. The planar face 338 of the connector body 22 passes
over the leading edge
226 of the outer conductor 214 and contacts the conductor 214 approximately
near the trailing
inflection point 392 of the outer conductor 214, causing the conductor 214 to
fold over on itself,
as depicted by the arrow. One advantage of this arrangement is that an
operator preparing the
cable segment 200 for insertion does not need to trim the cable 200 precisely
at a corrugation
valley; there is provided ample leeway on either side of the valley.
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[00167] In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 12 and enlarged in FIG. 13, the first
region 335
that extends radially inward from the inner bore 26 of the connector body 20
may further
comprise a retention feature 394 to further secure the deformed corrugated
outer conductor 215
in a radial direction. In one example, the retention feature 394 is an annular
recess in the first
region 335, such that the first region 335 axially indented. Correspondingly,
the clamp 90 may
include a complimentary retention feature 396. In the illustrated example, the
collapsed
corrugated outer conductor 215 is sandwiched not only along the complimentary
compression
surfaces 336 and 382, but also between the retention features 394 and 396. In
this manner, in the
event the cap 60 axially retreats from the connector body 20, the radial
clamping forces acting
upon the outer conductor 215 in the region of the retention features 394 and
396 are unaffected
and the outer conductor 215 will not jar loose. Moreover, even though the
retreat of the cap 60
from the connector body 20 may result in the loss of electric coupling between
the compression
surfaces 336 and 382, the outer conductor 215 collapsed between retention
features 394 and 396
continues to electrically couple the clamp 90 and the connector body 20, thus
allowing the
connector 10 to continue to provide its intended and desired function.
[00168] In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 14, the connector is in the second
state. The
clamp 90 further comprises a beveled edge 372, in addition to the beveled edge
382 described
above. The beveled edges 372 and 382 are positioned on opposing leading corner
edges of the
clamp 90, beveled edge 382 being positioned radially inward of the beveled
edge 372. Beveled
edge 372 is angled at an acute angle from the common axis 2, and the angle of
the beveled edge
372 is less than the angle of the beveled edge 382 from the common axis 2.
Beveled edges 372
and 382 function as compression surfaces under the condition that the
connector is transitioned
from the first state to the second state.
[00169] Corresponding compressions surfaces are found in the compression ring
80 of the
embodiment of FIG. 14. Specifically, the second surface 86 of the compression
ring 80 further
comprises angled surfaces 381 and 371 that oppose one another and generally
form a v-like
shape in the second surface 86. The angled surfaces 381 and 371 correspond to
and compliment
the beveled edges 382 and 372, respectively. In other words, the angled
surface 371 is angled
from the common axis 2 at approximately the angle of the beveled edge 372.
Similarly, the
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angled surface 381 is angled from the common axis 2 at approximately the angle
of the beveled
edge 382. With this configuration, as the connector 10 is transitioned from
the first state to the
second state, thus axially displacing the clamp 90 toward the compression ring
80, the
compression surfaces, 372 and 382, on the clamp ring 90 functionally engage
the corresponding
compression surfaces, 371 and 381, respectively, on the compression ring 80 to
compress
therebetween the first exposed outer conductor corrugation 214 of the cable
200 so that the
corrugation 214 collapses on itself The result is that the collapsed
corrugation 215 is pressed
between the compression surfaces 372 and 371 at one angle and also pressed
between the
compression surfaces 382 and 381 at another angle, thus forming the v-like
shaped compression.
This v-shaped compression provides both axial and radial compression of the
connector 10 to
facilitate advantageous mechanical and electrical coupling of the connector 10
to the cable 200 in
the second state and to prevent the connector 10 from disengaging without
undue force once the
connector 10 is moved to its second state.
[00170] Additionally, in the embodiment of FIG. 14, the compression ring 80
comprises the
first surface 84 that engages the second surface 48 of the first insulator 40.
The first surface 84
comprises an annular recess 388 that engages an annular angled lip 346 that
axially protrudes
from the second surface 48 of the first insulator 40. As the connector 10 is
axially transitioned
from the first state to the second state, the compression ring 80 functionally
engages the first
insulator 40, which in turn functionally engages the conductive pin 170 to
axially advance the
conductive pin 170 through the central through-bore 158 of the second
insulator 150, such that
the pin 170 axially protrudes beyond the first end 152 of the insulator 150 so
that the pin 170 can
connect to the port (not shown). Moreover, transition of the connector 10 from
the first state to
the second state also results in the exposed center conductor 202 being
axially advanced into the
socket 176 of the pin 170, such that the center conductor 202 is mechanically
and electrically
coupled to and secured within the pin 170. As a result, in addition to the
outer conductor 206
being mechanically and electrically coupled to the connector body 20, as
described above, the
center conductor 202 is mechanically and electrically coupled to the pin 170,
so that the
connector 10 satisfactorily couples, mechanically and electrically, to the
port (not shown).
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[00171] In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 15, the connector 10 includes the
compression
surfaces 382 and 372 on the clamp 90 and the compression surfaces 371 and 381
on the
compression ring 80, described above. These compression surfaces 382, 372,
381, and 371
function according to the description provided above. In addition, the
embodiment of FIG. 15
further includes a planar surface 389 on the first surface 84, the planar
surface 389 being
structured to engage the second surface 48 of the first insulator 40. The
second surface 48 of the
first insulator 40 further comprises a planar annular lip 345 that engages the
planar surface 389.
As the connector 10 is axially transitioned from the first state to the second
state, the
compression ring 80 functionally engages the first insulator 40, which in turn
functionally
engages the conductive pin 170 to axially advance the conductive pin 170
through the central
through-bore 158 of the second insulator 150, such that the pin 170 axially
protrudes beyond the
first end 152 of the insulator 150 so that the pin 170 can connect to the port
(not shown).
Moreover, transition of the connector 10 from the first state to the second
state also results in the
exposed center conductor 202 being axially advanced into the socket 176 of the
pin 170, such
that the center conductor 202 is mechanically and electrically coupled to and
secured within the
pin 170. As a result, in addition to the outer conductor 206 being
mechanically and electrically
coupled to the connector body 20, as described above, the center conductor 202
is mechanically
and electrically coupled to the pin 170, so that the connector 10
satisfactorily couples,
mechanically and electrically, to the port (not shown).
[00172] Referring now to FIG. 16, an embodiment of connector 1000 may be a
straight
connector, a right angle connector, an angled connector, an elbow connector,
or any
complimentary connector that may receive a center conductive strand 18 of a
coaxial cable.
Further embodiments of connector 100 may receive a center conductive strand 18
of a coaxial
cable 10, wherein the coaxial cable 10' includes a corrugated, helical or
spiral outer conductor
14'. For instance, one example of the cable 10' received by connector 1000 is
a spiral
corrugated cable, sometimes known as Superflex 0 cable. Examples of spiral
corrugated cable
include 50 ohm "Superflex" cable and 75 ohm "coral" cable manufactured by
Andrew
Corporation (wwv.andrew.com). Spiral corrugated coaxial cable is a special
type of coaxial cable
10' that is used in situations where a solid conductor is necessary for
shielding purposes, but it is
also necessary for the cable to be highly flexible. Unlike standard coaxial
cable, spiral
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corrugated coaxial cable has an irregular outer surface, which makes it
difficult to design
connectors or connection techniques in a manner that provides a high degree of
mechanical
stability, electrical shielding, and environmental sealing, but which does not
physically damage
the irregular outer surface of the cable. Ordinary corrugated, i.e., non-
spiral, coaxial cable also
has the advantages of superior mechanical strength, with the ability to be
bent around corners
without breaking or cracking. In corrugated coaxial cables, the corrugated
sheath is also the outer
conductor. Connector 1000 can be provided to a user in a preassembled
configuration to ease
handling and installation during use.
[00173] Embodiments of connector 1000 may include a connector body 1020
comprising a
first end 1022, a second end 1024, and an inner bore 1026 defined between the
first and second
ends 1022, 1024 of the body 1020, a compression member 1060 comprising a first
end 1062, a
second end 1064, and an inner bore 1066 defined between the first and second
ends 1062, 1064
of the member 1060, the first end 1062 of the compression member 1060 being
structured to
engage the second end 1024 of the connector body 1020, a clamp 1090 comprising
a first end
1092, a second end 1094, an inner bore 1096 defined between the first and
second ends 1092,
1094 of the clamp 1090, wherein the clamp 1090 facilitates threadable
insertion of a coaxial
cable 10', and a compression surface 1086 (or a surface integral to the
connector body 1020 and
protrudes radially inward into the inner bore 1026 of the connector body 1020)
disposed within
the connector body 1020, wherein axial advancement of one of the connector
body 1020 and the
compression member 1060 toward the other facilitates the clamp 1090 being
axially advanced
into proximity with the compression surface 1086 (or a surface integral to the
connector body
1020 and protrudes radially inward into the inner bore 1026 of the connector
body 1020) such
that the clamp 1090 and the compression surface 1086 (or a surface integral to
the connector
body 1020 and protrudes radially inward into the inner bore 1026 of the
connector body 1020)
transmit force between one another. Further embodiments of connector 1000 may
include a
connector body 1020 having a first end 1022 and a second end 1024, a
compression member
1060 configured to be axially compressed onto the connector body 1020, a clamp
1090 disposed
within the connector body 1020, the clamp 1090 configured to facilitate
threadable insertion of a
coaxial cable 10', at least two cooperating surfaces, the cooperating surfaces
configured to
collapse one or more corrugations 17'of an outer conductor 14' of the coaxial
cable 10'
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therebetween when the connector 1000 moves into a closed position. Two
connectors, such as
connector 100 may be utilized to create a jumper that may be packaged and sold
to a
consumer. A jumper may be a coaxial cable 10 having a connector, such as
connector 100,
operably affixed at one end of the cable 10 where the cable 10 has been
prepared, and another
connector, such as connector 100, operably affixed at the other prepared end
of the cable
10. Operably affixed to a prepared end of a cable 10 with respect to a jumper
includes both an
uncompressed/open position and a compressed/closed position of the connector
while affixed to
the cable. For example, embodiments of a jumper may include a first connector
including
components/features described in association with connector 100, and a second
connector that
may also include the components/features as described in association with
connector 100,
wherein the first connector is operably affixed to a first end of a coaxial
cable 10, and the second
connector is operably affixed to a second end of the coaxial cable 10.
Embodiments of a jumper
may include other components, such as one or more signal boosters, molded
repeaters, and the
like.
[00174] The cable 10' may be coupled to the connector 1000, wherein the cable
10' may
include a solid center conductor 18' surrounded by an insulator 16', a
corrugated spiral outer
conductor 14 'surrounding the insulator 16', and an insulative jacket 12'
surrounding the outer
conductor 14'. The prepared end of the coaxial cable 10' may include an
exposed length of the
center conductor 18', an exposed length 17'of the outer conductor 14' such
that at least a first
exposed outer conductor corrugation 17' extends a distance from the cable
jacket 12'. The
insulator 16' is made of a soft, flexible material, such as a polymer foam. A
portion of the
insulator 16' may be removed from the prepared end of the cable 10', thereby
providing a "cored
out" annular cavity for receiving a portion of a component of the connector
10. However,
embodiments of the cable 10' may not involve coring out a portion of the
dielectric 16', which
both saves a step preparation of the cable 10' and allows the connector 1000
to not include a
support mandrel, such as mandrel 46.
[00175] FIG. 16 depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
connector 1000 in an
open position. The connector 1000 may include a tubular connector body 10120.
Embodiments
of the tubular connector body 1020 may share the same or substantially the
same structure and
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function as connector body 20 described supra. For example, the connector body
1020 may
include a first end 1022, a second end 1024, and an inner bore 1026. The
connector body 1020 is
comprised of a conductive material.
[00176] Embodiments of the connector 1000 may include a fastener 1180 operably
attached to
the connector body 1020 proximate the first end 1022. The fastener 1180 may be
a coupling
member, or a threaded nut for engagement to the port (not shown). The fastener
1180 may
include a seal 1182 for sealing to the port. Alternatively, the connector 1000
may be provided
with male threads for connection to a female port. The connector 1000 may also
be configured
as an angled connector, such as a 90 degree elbow connector.
[00177] Embodiments of connector 1000 may include a first seal 1012, such as
an 0-ring, that
is disposed within a groove on the outer periphery of the connector body 1020
and resides
between the tubular connector body 1020 and the inner bore 1066 of the
compression member
1060 under the condition that the connector 1000 is in the closed position.
Embodiments of the
first seal 1012 may share the same or substantially the same structural and
functional aspects of
seal 12, as described above. Moreover, embodiments of connector 1000 may
further include a
second seal 1014 that is contained within the inner bore 1066 and a second
flange of the
compression member 1060. Embodiments of the second seal 1014 may share the
same or
substantially the same structural and functional aspects of seal 14, as
described above.
[00178] Embodiments of a cable connector 1000 may include a first insulator
1040. The first
insulator may include surface 1142 that engages the compression ring 1080, in
particular, the
first surface 1084. The first insulator 1040 may include a generally axial
opening to
accommodate the axial passage of the center conductor 18' in a closed position
of connector
1000. The first insulator 1040 should be formed of insulative, non-conductive
materials to
facilitate the electrical isolation of the center conductor 18' and the
compression ring 1080.
Embodiments of the first insulator 1040 engages the compression ring 1080, but
may not engage
the outer conductor 14; of cable 10' to provide support in embodiments where
the cable 10' does
not include a cored out cavity at the prepared end of the cable 10'.
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[00179] Embodiments of the cable connector 1000 may further comprise of a
second insulator
1150 disposed within the inner bore 1026 of the tubular connector body 1020,
proximate the first
end 1022 of the connector body 1020. Embodiments of the second insulator 1050
may share the
same or substantially the same structure and function as the second insulator
150, described in
association with connector 10. For example, the second insulator 1150 may be
comprised of a
first end 1152, a second end 1156, a central through-bore 1158, and a flange
1154 that is
structurally configured to slidably engage the inner bore 1026 of the tubular
connector body
1020 and configured to engage a shoulder 1028 on the inner bore 1026 of the
tubular connector
body 1020. The second insulator 1150 may electrically isolate the center
conductor 18' from
the connector body 1020. The connector 1000 may further include a conductive
central pin 1170
disposed within the central through-bore 1158 of the insulator 1150. The
conductive central pin
1170 may be comprised of a first end 1172, a second end 1174, and an axial
socket 1176
extending axially from the second end 1174. When the coaxial cable 10' is
inserted into the
connector 1000, the axial socket 1176 of the central pin 1170 receives an
exposed tip of the
center conductor 18' of the cable 10'. A plurality of slits 1178 running
axially along the length
of the socket 1176 may be cut into the central pin 1170 at predetermined
intervals in the socket
1176, thereby defining a plurality of fingers between the slits 1178 which are
structurally
configured to expand when the exposed tip of the center conductor 18' prepared
cable 10' is
inserted into the axial socket 1176.
[00180] Embodiments of connector 1000 may further include a compression member
1060.
Embodiments of the compression member 1060 may share the same or substantially
the same
structure and function as compression member 60 described supra. For example,
compression
member 1060 may include a first end 1062, a second end 1064, and an inner bore
1066 having a
central shoulder 1068. The compression member 1060 may be configured to couple
to the
tubular connector body 1020, and more specifically to slidably engage the
second end 1024 of
the body 1020.
[00181] Embodiments of connector 1000 may further include a means for
collapsing the first
exposed corrugation 17' of the outer conductor 14' of the coaxial cable 10' in
the axial direction
when the compression member 1060 engages the connector body 1020 and is
axially advanced
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further toward the connector body 1020. The particular components of the
connector 10' and the
means for collapsing the outer conductor 14' are described herein.
[00182] Referring still to FIG. 16, and additional reference to FIGs. 17 and
18, embodiments
of connector 1000 may include a conductive compression ring 1080. Embodiments
of the
conductive compression ring 1080 may share the same or substantially the same
structure and
function as conductive compression ring 80 described supra. For example, the
conductive
compression ring 1080 may include a first surface 1084 that engages the second
surface 1048 of
the first insulator 1040, and a second surface 1086 that functions as a
compression surface that
assists in the collapsing of the first exposed corrugation 17' of the outer
conductor 14' of the
coaxial cable 10'. The compression ring 1080 comprises a through hole 1082 to
allow axial
passage of the center conductor 18' of cable 10'.
[00183] Furthermore, embodiments of connector 1000 may include a clamp 1090
that is
structured to slide within the connector 1000 and functionally engage the
inner bore 1026 of the
connector body 1020. Embodiments of the clamp 1090 may share similar or
substantially
similar structure and function as clamp 90 described above. However, clamp
1090 may not
include independently radially displaceable sections. In other words,
embodiments of claim
1090 may be rigid, and not include slots or other structural aspects to
facilitate expansion of the
clamp 1090. The clamp 1090 does not need to expand to allow insertion of the
coaxial cable 10'.
The clamp 1090 comprises a first end 1092, a second end 1094, a central
passageway 1096, and
a central annular recess 1100 defined between a first protruded edge 1098 that
extends radially
inward proximate the first end 1092 and a second protruded edge 1102 that
extends radially
inward proximate the second end 1094. The first end 1092 of the clamp 1090
functions as
another compression surface that assists in the collapsing of the first
exposed corrugation '17 of
the outer conductor '14 of the coaxial cable 10', under the condition that the
compression
surface, mentioned above, is brought into proximity with the first end 1092 of
the clamp 1090,
the compression member 1060 is axially compressed/displaced onto the connector
body 1020 to
move to a closed position, as shown in FIG. 17. Moreover, the clamp 1090 may
be disposed
around the outer conductive strand layer 14', wherein the inner surface may
threadably engage
the outer conductive strand 14' and the cable jacket 12' in a closed position.
The inner surface
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of the clamp 1090 may include a grooved portion, wherein the grooved portion
corresponds to an
outer surface of the outer conductive strand layer 14'. Embodiments of the
clamp 1090 may
include a grooved portion with threads or grooves that correspond with a
helical or spiral
corrugated outer conductor, such as Superflex 0 cable. Because the clamp 1090
is rigid and has
an inner surface having grooves in a spiral or helical pattern to accommodate
a spiral or helical
pattern of the outer conductor 14', an installer may thread the cable 10' into
mechanical
engagement with the clamp 1090, which ensures proper installation (e.g. fully
inserted cable
10'). In other words, the clamp 1090 is configured to facilitate threadable
insertion of the
coaxial cable 10'.
[00184] Embodiments of connector 1000 may further comprise a clamp push ring
1120.
Embodiments of the clamp push ring 1120 may share the same or substantially
the same
structural and functional aspects of the clamp push ring 120 describes supra.
For example, the
clamp push ring 1120 is structurally configured to slidably engage the central
shoulder of 1068
of the compression member 1060. The clamp push ring 1120 may further comprise
a first end
1126 that is structured to functionally engage the second end 1094 of the
clamp 1090. In other
embodiments, the compression member 1060 is structured to functionally engage
the clamp 1090
directly, such that axial advancement of the compression member 1060 results
in the axial
advancement of the clamp 1090.
[00185] The prepared cable end is disposable in the connector 1000, and is
shown disposed
within the connector 1000 in FIG. 16, wherein the connector 1000 and the cable
10' are in an
open position. To reach the open position shown in FIG. 16, the prepared cable
end is inserted
into the inner bore 1066 of the compression member 1060 until the leading edge
11' of the
corrugated outer conductor 14' engages the clamp 1090. Upon engagement, the
cable 10' is
further threadably axially advanced through the central passageway 1096 so
that the
spiral/helical shaped grooves on the inner surface of the clamp 1090 mate with
the spiral/helical
shaped outer conductor 14' of the cable 10 to threadably axially move further
within the
connector body 1020. As the cable 10' is fully threaded, or close to fully
threaded into
engagement with the clamp 1090, the first exposed corrugation '17 of the cable
10' can engage
the conductive compression ring 1080, as the connector 1000 is moved to a
closed position.
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[00186] FIG. 18 depicts an embodiment of a closed position of connector 100
with the outer
conductor 14' collapsed between the compression surfaces 1086, 1092. As the
first exposed
corrugation 17' engages the conductive compression ring 1080, it may deform
against an angled
surface (i.e. surface 1086) of the conductive compression ring 1080, as
described above. The
cooperating compression surfaces 1086, 1092 of the conductive compression ring
1080 and the
clamp 1090 serve to collapse, crush, deform, and/or fold the corrugated outer
conductor 14' over
itself to pinch, lock, seize, clamp, etc. the outer conductor 14' of the cable
10'. Those skilled in
the art should understand that the manner in which the outer conductor 14' is
pinched/collapsed/folded between the two cooperating compression surfaces is
similar or the the
same as described in association with connector 10 above, with the exception
that the outer
conductor 14' has a spiral corrugation, and the clamp 1090 is rigid (e.g.
doesn't have to displace
to allow entry of the cable 10', and facilitates threadable insertion of the
cable 10').
[00187] With continued reference to the drawings, FIGs. 19 and 20 depict an
embodiment of
connector 10, 1000 having a cover 500. FIG. 19 depicts an embodiment of
connector 10, 1000
having a cover 500 in a first position. FIG. 20 depicts an embodiment of
connector 10, 1000
having a cover 500 in a second, sealing position. Cover 500 may be a seal, a
sealing member, a
sealing boot, a sealing boot assembly, and the like, that may be quickly
installed and/or removed
over a connector, such as connector 10, 1000, and may terminate at a bulkhead
of a port or at a
sliced connection with another coaxial cable connector of various
sizes/shapes. Cover 500 can
protect the cable connectors or other components from the environment, such as
moisture and
other environmental elements, and can maintain its sealing properties
regardless of temperature
fluctuations. Embodiments of cover 500 may be a cover for a connector 10, 1000
adapted to
terminate a cable 10, wherein the cover 500 comprises an elongated body 560
comprising a cable
end 501 and a coupler end 502, an interior surface 503 and an exterior surface
504, wherein the
elongated body 560 extends along a longitudinal axis 505. The interior surface
503 can include a
first region 510 adapted to cover at least a portion of the cable 10 and can
extend from the cable
end 501 to a first shoulder, wherein the first region is of a minimum, first
cross-sectional
diameter. The interior surface 503 may further include a second region 520
which is adapted to
cover at least the connector body portion 550 and which may extend from the
first shoulder to a
second shoulder. The second region 520 may have a minimum, second cross-
sectional diameter
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that is greater than the minimum, first cross-sectional diameter. The interior
surface 503 may
further include a third region 530 which is adapted to cover at least a
portion of the connector 200
and which extends from the second shoulder to the coupler end 502. The third
region 530 may have
a minimum, third cross-sectional diameter that is greater than the minimum,
second cross-sectional
diameter. Further embodiments of the cover 500 may include a plurality of
circumferential
grooves 515 to provide strain relief as the cover moves from the first
position to the second
position. The circumferential grooves 515 can extend less than completely
around the
circumference of the first region 510 of cover 500. Furthermore, embodiments
of the cover 500
may comprise an elastomeric material that maintains its sealing abilities
during temperature
fluctuations. In one embodiment, the cover 500 is made of silicone rubber.
[00188] Referring now to FIGs. 1-20, a method of connecting a compression
connector to a
coaxial cable may include the steps of providing a connector body 1020 having
a first end 1022
and a second end 1024, a compression member 1060 configured to be axially
compressed onto
the connector body 1020, a clamp 1090 disposed within the connector body 1020,
the clamp
1090 configured to facilitate threadable insertion of a coaxial cable 10', at
least two cooperating
surfaces, the cooperating surfaces configured to collapse one or more
corrugations 17'of an outer
conductor 14'of the coaxial cable 10' therebetween when the connector 1000
moves into a
closed position, threadably advancing a coaxial cable 10' into the connector
body 1020, wherein
a spiral corrugated outer conductor 14' of the coaxial cable 10' threadably
mates with a spiral
grooved portion of an inner surface of the clamp 1090, and axially compressing
the compression
member 1060 onto the connector body 1020 to move the connector 1000 to a
closed position.
[00189] With further reference to FIGs. 1-20 and with particular reference to
FIG. 18, a
condition can exist where a non-uniform portion of a conductor of a coaxial
cable, such as an
outer conductor 14 of connector embodiments 10 that is not cut perpendicular
to the central axis
2, or an outer conductor 14' of connector embodiment 1000 having a non-
symmetric helical
shape, may be axially irregularly disposed within a connector 10, 1000, such
that when the non-
uniform portion of the conductor 14, 14' of the coaxial cable 200, 10' is
compressed between the
clamp 90, 1090 and a compression surface, such as cooperating surfaces 86, 92,
337, 381 and
382, of connector embodiments 10, and cooperating surfaces 1086 and 1092 of
connector
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embodiment 1000, when the connector embodiments 10, 1000 are attached to the
coaxial
cable200, 10' in a compressed position, at least a portion of the clamp 90,
1090 malleably
deforms in conformance with a variable axial thickness of the non-uniform
compressed portion
of the conductor 14, 14' of the coaxial cable 200, 10'. Connector designs that
facilitate uniform
high pressure contact between a cable conductor, such as outer conductor 14,
14', and a
contacting element of the connector typically result in acceptable performance
characteristics,
particularly with respect to passive intermodulation (PIM). Ordinarily it is
effective to
incorporate rigid metal contact elements to avoid low or degrading amounts of
contact pressure
over the life of the connector. However, as described above with respect to
FIG. 18, problems of
non-uniformity can arise when working with non-uniform helical corrugated
cable 10', or when
working with cables having conductors that are cut or otherwise formed so that
the end of the
conductor is axially irregular and not uniformly perpendicular to the common
axis. When there
is an axial irregularity, such as the inherent axial displacement of a helical
conductor, or some
other axial irregularity, the conductor can obtain a progressive, or otherwise
variable thickness,
when captured between cooperating surfaces. With a helical conductor in
particular, there is
typically a portion with compressed wall thickness that is greater than a
portion roughly 180
opposed, or about halfway back a full helical loop of the conductor of the
coaxial cable. Thus, as
depicted in FIG. 18, a greater (thicker) portion of the coaxial cable
conductor is 14' is
compressed between the cooperating surfaces 1086 and 1092 on one side of the
connector 1000
than is compressed on the other side of the connector 1000.
[00190] One way to address this variable thickness (which variability affects
PIM and other
performance characteristics) is to capture the axially irregular conductor or
the coaxial cable
between irregular cooperating surfaces, which have been specifically shaped to
accommodate the
variable thickness. For example, with regard to cable having a helical outer
conductor, such as
outer conductor 14' of cable 10', cooperating compression surfaces can be
helically modified
and then carefully phase aligned with one another, as well as with the cable
10'. Such
modification is difficult and costly in practice, and may not adequately
account for variations in
the cable conductor resulting from manufacture and/or preparation at the time
of installation.
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[00191] As described herein with respect to FIGs 1-20 and further with respect
to FIG. 21, a
unique and inventive approach to addressing the problems associated with
axially irregular
conductor elements of coaxial cables may involve the incorporation of a
cooperating
compression surface that is malleable. For example a connector 10, 1000 may
include a clamp
90, 1090, wherein the clamp 90, 1090 is at least partially constructed from a
material which can
malleably deform, such that a cooperating malleable compression surface 92,
382, 1092 of the
clamp 90, 1090 acts to support the crumpled, captured or otherwise compressed
axially irregular
conductor, such as conductor 14, 14', regardless of axially uniform alignment
or thickness of the
conductor 14, 14' when compressed against the cooperating malleable
compression surface 92,
382, 1092. Embodiments of a compression connector 10, 100 may comprise a
connector body
20, 1020 having a first end, such as first end 22, a second end, such as
second end 24, and an
inner bore, such as inner bore 26, defined between the first and second ends
of the connector
body 20, 1020.
[00192] A connector 10, 1000 may also comprise a compression member 60, 1060
having a
first end, such as first end 62, a second end, such as second end 64, and an
inner bore, such as
inner bore 66, defined between the first and second ends, the compression
member 60, 1060
being axially movable with respect to the connector body 20, 1020. Moreover,
embodiments of
a connector 10, 1000 may comprise a compression surface, such as a compression
surface 86,
337 and 381, located axially between the first end, such as end 22, of the
connector body 20,
1020 and the second end, such as end 64, of the compression member 60, 1060.
Furthermore,
embodiments of a connector 10, 1000 may comprise a clamp, such as clamp 90,
1090, wherein
the clamp has a first end, such as a first end 92, a second end, such as
second end 94, and an
inner bore, such as an inner bore 96, defined between the first and second
ends of the clamp 90,
1090, wherein at least a portion of the clamp 90, 1090 is structured to engage
a conductor, such
as conductor 14, 14', of a coaxial cable, such as coaxial cable 200, 10'. The
compression surface
of embodiments of the connector 10, 1000 may be a portion of a clamp 90, 1090,
such as surface
92, 382.
[00193] Embodiments of a connector 10, 1000 may include a clamp, such as clamp
90, 1090,
wherein the clamp 90, 1090 is at least partially constructed from a malleable
material. Such
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malleable material may be plastic, such as a polyetherimide (PEI) material
having a repeating
molecular unit of C37H2406N2 and a molecular weight of approximately 592
g/mol. An Ultem0
brand of PEI may offer advantageous properties including a high dielectric
strength, natural
flame resistance, and low smoke generation, as well as high mechanical
properties and
acceptable performance in continuous use to 340 F (170 C). Those in the art
should appreciate,
however, that other plastic materials, such as PEEK, etc., may be utilized to
form at least a
portion of a malleable surface of the connector, such as a malleable surface
portion of the clamp
90, 1090. In addition, those in the art should recognize that the clamp, such
as clamp 90, 1090,
may include at least a portion that is at least partially constructed from a
malleable metallic
material, such as, but not limited to: gold, silver, lead, copper, aluminum,
tin, platinum, zinc,
nickel, or alloys derived from any combination therefrom. The malleable
portion of the
connector 10, 1000, may help facilitate physical and electrical conformance to
an axial
irregularity (like a non-uniform axial thickness) of a portion of the
conductor of the coaxial cable
200, 10' that may be compressed between at least two cooperating surfaces,
such as surfaces 92,
382, 1092 of the clamp 90, 1090, and/or the cooperating surfaces, such as
surfaces 86, 337, and
381, or other connector 10, 1000 components which are configured to compress
an axially
irregular portion of the conductor of the coaxial cable, such as portions 700a
and 700b (shown in
FIG. 21) or the unlabeled portion shown in FIG. 18, therebetween so as to
ensure acceptable
performance characteristics, particularly with respect satisfactory amounts of
PIM and/or signal
return loss.
[00194] With respect to embodiments of a coaxial cable connector 10, 1000,
axial
advancement of one of the connector body 20, 1020 and the compression member
60, 1060
toward the other facilitates the clamp 90, 1090 being axially advanced into
proximity with the
compression surface, such as surfaces 86, 337, and 381, such that a portion
700a, 700b of the
conductor, such as conductor 14, 14,' of the coaxial cable 200, 10' is
compressed between the
clamp 90, 1090 and the compression surface, such as compression surfaces 86,
337, and 381, in a
manner resulting in variable axial thickness of the compressed portion 700a,
700b of the
conductor 14,14'of the coaxial cable 200,10', wherein at least a portion 99 of
the clamp 90, 1090
malleably deforms in conformance with the variable axial thickness of the
compressed portion
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700a, 700b of the conductor 14, 14' of the coaxial cable 200, 10', as depicted
in exemplary
fashion in FIG. 21.
[00195] While malleable components of a connector 10, 1000 may be more likely
to creep,
than if made from rigid material, those in the art should appreciate that it
is possible to produce
an embodiment of a connector 10, 1000 which does not lose its "grip" of the
conductor, such as
conductor 14, 14', over time - in other words, the connector will still have
acceptable physical
electrical engagement with a cable conductor through extended use over
durations of time
experiencing repetitive daily or seasonal temperature and other environmental
changes. The
material properties of components of the connector 10, 1000, such as the clamp
90, 1090 or other
features associated with malleable cooperating surfaces can be selected for
durable usage.
Moreover, malleable components, such as the clamp 90, 1090, may be confined
between rigid
support structures to help prevent deformation of the malleable components,
such as the clamp
90, 1090, beyond prescribed structural limits. In addition a malleable
cooperating surface of
embodiments of a connector 10, 1000 may comprise a portion of a surface
integral with the
connector body 20, 1020 that radially extends to an inner bore 26, 1026 of the
connector body
20, 1020.
[00196] Referring still further to FIGs. 1-21, a method of connecting a
connector 10, 1000 to a
coaxial cable 200, 10' may include a step of providing providing a connector
body 20, 1020
having a first end, such as first end 22, and a second end, such as second end
24. An additional
step may comprise providing a compression member 60, 1060 that is axially
moveable with
respect to the connector body 20, 1020, and is disposed between the first end,
such as first end
22, of the connector body and the second end, such as second end 64, of the
compression
member 60, 1060. A further step may include providing a clamp 90, 1090
configured to
facilitate engagement of a conductor 14, 14' of the coaxial cable 200, 10'.
Additionally a
methodological step may include providing at least two cooperating surfaces,
such as surfaces
86, 92, 337, 381 and 382, of connector embodiments 10, and surfaces 1086 and
1092 of
connector embodiment 1000, wherein one of the at least two cooperating
structures is malleable.
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[00197] Further me i odology for connecting a connector 10, 1000 to a coaxial
cable 200, 10'
may include adv= icing a coaxial cable 200, 10' into the connector 10' 1000,
wherein the
conductor 14, 14' of e coaxi: cable 200, 10' engages the clamp 90, 1090. Still
further
me i odology may include axially compressing the compression member 60, 1060
with respect to
connector body 20, 1020, thereby compressing the conductor 14, 14' of the
coaxial cable 200,
10' between e at least two cooperating surfaces, such as surfaces 86, 92, 337,
381 and 382, of
connector embo= *1 ill ems 10, and surfaces 1086 and 1092 of connector embo if
= cut 1000, in a
manner so as to render variable thickness to axial portions 700a, 700b of e
conductor 114, 14' of
the coaxial cable 200, 10' compressed therebetween, wherein the malleable
cooperating surface,
such as one of the surfaces 86,92, 337, 381 and 382, of connector embodiments
10, or surfaces
1086 and 1092 of connector embo ent 1000, deforms in conformance with i 'Le
variable axial
thicq.ess of ic compressed portion 71 I a, 700b of the conductor 114, 14' of
the coaxial cable
200, 10'.
[00198] With reference to FIGs 8-13, those in the art should recognize that
the structure = nd
functionality pertaining to all connector embodiments 10, 1000 is applicable
to various connector
sizes, types and genders. For example, EEGs 8-13 depict a female type
connector for connection
to a separate male component Moreover, I hose in the art should appreciate
that the structure and
functionality pertaining to all connector embodiments 10, 1000 shown in any of
FIGs 1-21 can
and should be designed to maintain a coaxial form across the connection and
have similar well-
definsh impedance as matched wi 1. the attach cable. Thus variously sized
connectors 10,
1000 can and should be made to effectively operate with correspondingly sized
cables. In
addition, it should be appreciated that the structure and functio lity describ-
.i herein pertaining
to embodiments of connectors 10,1000 can be operably adapted to DIN-type
connectors, BNC-
type connectors, INC-type connectors, N-type connectors, and other like
coaxial cable
connectors having structure and functionality that is operably commensurate wi
u the connector
embodiments 10, 1000 described herein.
[00199] Referring further to the drawings, FIG. 22 shows a blown-up cross-
section view of a
portion of an embodiment of a connector 10 as attached to a coaxial cable 200.
The coaxial
cable 200 may include an inner conductor 202 surrounded by an inner dielectric
insulator 204.
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The inner conductor 202 may be form -=' of solid conductive material, or may
be a hollow
conductive me .. ben The inner dielectric insulator 204 may be similar to
those inner dielectric
insulators discussed previously. An outer conductor 206 may surround the inner
dielectric
insulator 204. The outer conductor 206 may be tube-like, and may be solid in
form or may be
co,..,pnis..icf various braided or wrapped conductive layers. The geometry of
the outer
conductor 206 .1 ,y be smoo Iv corrugated, helical, or o, 'E'er operable
configurations.
[00200] As depicted in FIG. 22, the cable 200 is shown a ched to . e connector
10 in a
second state, the cable co .. ponents 200 hat'''. g been compressed into
secure mechanical position
wi = e
connector 10 from a furst state via axial compression. In the second compress-
.' state,
e first insulator 40 resides proximate the conductive compression ring 80,
which, in turn,
resides proximate the clamp 90 of iC connector 10, wi r. a portion of the
outer conductor 206 of
e cable 200 mechanic:, 'fly sandwiched between the cooperar iig compression
surface 381 of the
conductive compression ring 80 and uC conrespon.1tg.cooperating compression
surface 382 of
the movable clamp 90. The clamp 90 may be solid or slotted. In addi i'on,
mechanical security
of the second state is enhanced by the cooperating proximity of the beveled
edge 371 of the
conductive compression ring 80, as located wi . respect to the beveled edge
381 of the clamp 90.
The sandwiched section of the outer conductor 206 comprises a collapsed
corrugation portion
215a having a rogue leading edge 226a that hangs away from or otherwise
resides apart from the
rest of I. e co :ipsed corrugated portion 215a.
[00201] When a connector embodiment 10 is attached to a coaxial cable 200 in a
manner that
permits the positioning of a rogue conductive member, such as the hanging
leading edge 226a,
there may be undesirable ramifications related to passive intermodulation
(PIM) and return loss,
with respect to matching the impedance properties of the connector 10 to the
impedance
properties of the attached cable 200. Unmatched impedance can lead to problems
in signal
integrity disrupting signal transmission through the cable 200 and the
connector 10 and on to
connected communications devices. As a result, there is a need for structure
and functionality
that helps prevent the presence of rogue conductive members within a coaxial
cable connector.
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[00202] Connector embodiments 10 may be provid..., with structural conapo
scuts to help
guide co = ductive members into desirable locations as 'e conductive members
are displaced
during co iipressive attachment of s e coaxial cable 200 to the connector 10.
Accordingly, FIG.
23 depicts another connector embo"cut 10 having a conductor t *splacement
guiding member
500. As depicted, the conductor displacement guiding member 500 exists as a
sleeve integrally
exten' ig s m the first insulator 40. However, those in the art should
appreciate, that
embodiments of a conductor displacement gui.1.ng member 500 nay also exist as
indepe s dem
components, such as separate rings and bushings, and/or as a structural
feature integrated with
e conduc ;ve compression ring 80. Moreover, those in the art should recognize
sat
emboclimes ts of a conductor displace 'tent guiding member 500 ts ay be form
of either
conductive or on-conductive materials, or a combination ,s ereof, and
considerations wi
respect to impedance matching are important to the location and material make-
up of conductor
displacement guiding member embo .'= ',tents 500. For example, the embodiment
of 'c
conductor displacement gui.i sig member 500 shown in FIG. 23 'lay be formed of
a
polyetherimide plastic, such as an Ulteme resin, having advantageous
properties including a
dielectric streng I i natural flame resistance, and low smoke generation, as
well as hi:;*
mechanical properties and acceptable performance in continuous use to 340 F
(170 C).
[00203] An embodiment of a conductor displacement guiding member 500 may be
located
within a connector 10 in a manner permitting prescribed con et with conductive
members, such
as an outer conductor 206, to help guide the conductive member into a
desirable location as it is
displaced during attac exit of the coaxial cable 200. As depicted, the
conductor displacement
guiding member 500 may include guiding structures, such as the ramp s guiding
surface 581,
configured to contact and then act upo s the guided leading edge 226b as the
outer conductor 206
is displaced, such that a guided collapsed corrugation portion 215b operably
resides between
cooperating surfaces 381 and 371 of the conductive compression ring 80 and the
movable clamp
90. Notably the conductor displacement guiding member 500 helps guide the
leading edge 226b
to a desired location tucked up near the collapsed comigatio s portion 215b.
The conductive
displacement guiding member 500 aids in locating the outer conductor 206 such
that it is
centered, and that the end 226b of the outer conductor 206 folds into a
collapsed corrugation
portion 215b more predictably. When a conductive member, such as the leading -
'ge 226b of
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the outer conductor 206, is properly guided into a prescribed location during
displacement
associated with axial-co pressio li-actuat i( cable attaci, I au, embodiments
of the connector 10
do not suffer the imp ce, PIM, and return loss drawbacks associated with
connectors having
rogue conductive members, such as the rogue leading edge 226a shown in FIG.
22. Return loss
and NM are minimi7edlthrough guided locating of lie lee = = cis edge 226s of
the outer conductor
206, thereby facilitating impedance matching. Connector embodiments 10
including conductor
displacement guiding members 500 may operably inco {form structure similar to
I e connector
si I awe deserib,,i above wi '1, respect to FIGs 1-15. Consideration toward
cost and ease of
assembly can guide those in the art to incorporation of conductor displaceme,,
t guiding members
500 that ensure good connector 10 performance.
[00204] With reference to FIGs 8-13, those in the art should recognize that
the structure and
functionality pertaining to all connector embodirne,, ts 10 is applicable to
various connector sizes,
types and genders. For example, FIGs 8-13 depict a female type connector for
connec ;on to a
separate male component. Moreover, those in the art should appreciate that lie
structure : d
functionality pertaining to all connector embodiments 10 shown in any of FIGs
1-17 can and
should be designed to maintain a coaxial form across the connection and , = ve
s' 4117 as well-
defined impedance as matched with the attached cable. Thus variously sized
connectors 10 can
and should be made to effectively operate with correspondingly sized cables.
In addition, it
should be appreciated that , e structure and functionality described herein
pertaining to
embodiments of connectors 10 can be operably adapted to DIN-type connectors,
BNC-type
connectors, TNC-type connectors, N-type connectors, and other like coaxial
cable connectors
having structure and functionality that is operably commensurate wi I. the
connector
emboil=i,.ents 10 described here = .
[002051 While lie present invention has been described with reference to a
number of specific
embodiments, it will be understood that the true spirit and scope of the
invention should be
determined only with respect to claims that can be supported by the present
specification.
Further, while in numerous cases herein wherein systems and apparatuses and
methods are
described as having a certain number of elements it will be understood that
such systems,
apparatuses and methods can be practiced wi , fewer than the me , dolled
certain number of
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elements. Also, while a number of particular embodiments have been described,
it will be
understood that features and aspects that have been described with reference
to each particular
embodiment can be used with each remaining particularly described embodiment.
