Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
WATERPROOF COAXIAL CABLE CONNECTOR
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present application relates generally to electrical
connectors, and specifically to
weatherproof connectors for coaxial cables.
[0002] Coaxial connections are widely used to conduct radio frequency
signals with little
electromagnetic interference from other signals and with minimal power losses
when installed
next to metal objects. The low vulnerability of coaxial cable to power losses
and interference is
due to the containment of the magnetic field carrying the signal to a space
between an inner
conductor surrounded by a tubular insulating layer, surrounded by a tubular
conducting shield.
.. Electric and magnetic fields outside the cable are largely kept from
interfering with signals inside
the cable. To confer these advantages and function as a transmission line, the
dimensions of the
cable must be controlled to give a precise, constant conductor spacing. Larger
diameter cables
and cables with multiple shields have less leakage. This property makes
coaxial cable a good
choice for carrying weak signals that cannot tolerate interference from the
environment or for
.. stronger electrical signals that must not be allowed to radiate or couple
into adjacent structures or
circuits. Common applications of coaxial cable include video, television and
radio transmission,
and computer data connections.
[0003] However, the functionality of coaxial cable depends on the
integrity of its structure.
For example, any contact at all between the conducting shield and the inner
conductor will cause
a short circuit, causing complete signal loss. This most often occurs at
damaged or improperly
installed end connectors and splices. Also, the connector or splice must be
properly attached to
the shield, as this provides the path to ground the interfering signal.
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[0004] Consequently, it is important to protect coaxial connections from
damage and
improper installation. This is especially true in the outdoor environment,
where omnipresent
moisture can penetrate the connection and enter the cable. It is of course
most critical in a
submerged environment. Moisture can corrode the cable parts, and also close or
short a circuit
between the inner connector and the conducting shield. Attempts have been made
to develop
waterproof coaxial connectors. However, to date all such connectors require
the assembly of
multiple parts and the use of specialized tools to establish a reliable and
waterproof connection.
This is a severe disadvantage, as coaxial connections must often be installed
outdoors in places
that are difficult or dangerous to access.
SUMMARY
[0005] Various embodiments of a connector assembly for a coaxial cable
described herein
include an elastomeric body that creates a watertight seal between an outer
housing and both of a
coaxial cable that enters the housing and a coaxial connector at the end of
the coaxial cable.
[0006] In one aspect, a connector assembly for connecting a coaxial
cable, having a first
coaxial connector, to a second coaxial connector is provided. The connector
assembly includes
the coaxial cable, the first coaxial connector conductively connected to a
proximal end of the
coaxial cable, configured to connect to the second coaxial connector; and an
outer housing
member having a proximal end and a distal end, the outer housing member
including an internal
lumen containing the proximal end of the coaxial cable and at least partially
containing the first
coaxial connector, a concavity at the proximal end of the outer housing
member, wherein the
concavity includes an opening that is contiguous with the internal lumen, and
a first interlocking
connector element in the concavity. The connector assembly further includes at
least one sealing
body within the internal lumen of the outer housing member, the at least one
sealing body
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forming a watertight seal between the housing and the cable; and a resilient
compressible surface
encircling or surrounding the first coaxial connector.
[0007] In another aspect, an outer housing member for a coaxial
connector is provided. The
outer housing member may have a proximal end and a distal end. The outer
housing member
includes: an internal lumen configured to contain a proximal end of a coaxial
cable and
configured to at least partially contain a first coaxial connector connected
to the proximal end of
the coaxial cable; a concavity at the proximal end of the outer housing
member, wherein the
concavity includes an opening that is contiguous with the internal lumen; a
first interlocking
connector element located in the concavity; at least one sealing body within
the internal lumen of
the outer housing member, the at least one sealing body configured to form a
watertight seal
between the housing and the cable; and a resilient compressible surface
configured to
surrounding the first coaxial connector.
[0008] In still another aspect, a process for making a connector
assembly for a coaxial cable
is provided. The process includes: providing a coaxial cable having a
longitudinal axis, a
proximal end, and a distal end; inserting the coaxial cable into an internal
lumen of an elongated
outer housing member having a proximal end and a distal end, the housing
member comprising a
concavity at the proximal end of the housing member, and wherein the concavity
includes an
opening that is contiguous with the lumen; conductively connecting a coaxial
connector to the
proximal end of the coaxial cable and positioned wherein the coaxial connector
partially
protrudes into the concavity; forming a watertight seal between a portion of
the coaxial cable
within the lumen and the housing member; and providing a compressible
elastomeric body in the
concavity.
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[0009] The above presents a simplified summary to provide a basic
understanding of some
aspects of the claimed invention. This summary is not an extensive overview.
It is also not
intended to identify key or critical elements or to delineate the scope of the
claimed subject
matter. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a
prelude to the more
detailed description provided below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the connector
assembly;
[0011] Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-section of the embodiment of the
connector shown in
Fig. 1;
[0012] Fig. 3 is a side plan view of the embodiment of the connector shown
in Fig. 1;
[0013] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional side plan view of the embodiment of
the connector shown
in Fig. 1;
[0014] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the isolated housing assembly of
the embodiment of
the connector shown in Fig. 1;
[0015] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional side plan view of the isolated housing
assembly of the
embodiment of the connector shown in Fig. 1;
[0016] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a complementary
connector for the
connector shown in Fig. 1;
[0017] Fig. 8 is a longitudinal cross-section of the embodiment of the
complementary
connector shown in Fig. 7;
[0018] Fig. 9 is an assembly view of the connector of Fig. 1 and the
complementary
connector of Fig. 7;
[0019] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
connector assembly;
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[0020] Fig. 11 is a longitudinal cross-section of the embodiment of the
connector shown in
Fig. 10;
[0021] Fig. 12 is a side plan view of the embodiment of the connector
shown in Fig. 10;
[0022] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional side plan view of the embodiment of
the connector shown
in Fig. 10;
[0023] Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the isolated housing assembly of
the embodiment of
the connector shown in Fig. 10;
[0024] Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional side plan view of the isolated
housing assembly of the
embodiment of the connector shown in Fig. 10;
[0025] Fig. 16 is an assembly view of the connector of Fig. 10 and a
standard
complementary connector; and
[0026] Fig. 17 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process for
manufacturing a
connector assembly according to an implementation described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used
herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill
in the art of this
disclosure. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in
commonly used
dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent
with their meaning in
the context of the specification and should not be interpreted in an idealized
or overly formal
sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well known functions or
constructions may not be
described in detail for brevity or clarity.
[0028] A connector assembly is disclosed that provides a watertight seal
between its housing,
a coaxial cable, and a coaxial connector. The connector provides a watertight
connection in a
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single assembly by use of one or more elastomeric bodies between the housing,
coaxial cable,
and coaxial connector. The connector assembly prevents the infiltration of
moisture and can be
assembled in a single step without specialized tools. Consequently, no
additional assembly is
required during installation, except to connect the (first) coaxial connector
with a complementary
(second) coaxial connector. In this context the terms "watertight" and
"waterproof' refer to the
ability to exclude water under approximately atmospheric pressure. Some
embodiments of the
connector provide a watertight seal under higher pressures, such as those
found in submerged
environments. Such higher pressures may include (but are not limited to) 1
kilopascal (kPa), 3
kPa, 10 kPa, 100 kPa, 1 megapascal (MPa), 10 MPa, 30 MPa, 60 MPa, 100 MPa,
1000 MPa,
approximately ( 10%) any of the foregoing, any range between the foregoing,
and at least any of
the foregoing.
[0029] Figs. 1-9 provide various views of an embodiment of a connector
assembly 100. As
generally shown in Figs. 1-9, connector assembly 100 includes a coaxial cable
120, a first
coaxial connector 130 electrically connected to the cable 120, an outer
housing 110 around the
cable 120 and at least part of the first coaxial connector 130, and an
elastomeric body 140
forming a watertight seal between the housing 110 and both of the cable 120
and the first coaxial
connector 130. The coaxial cable 120 is of any suitable construction, and, as
best shown in Fig.
4, can generally be said to have a longitudinal axis 122, a proximal end 124,
and a distal end 126.
The first coaxial connector 130 is located at the proximal end 124 of the
cable 120, and may be
either a male or female standard push-on coaxial connector. For example, the
first coaxial
connector 130 may be an F-type coaxial connector.
[0030] The housing 110 is constructed of a rigid material, such as a
rigid polymer material.
As shown in Figs. 4-6, for example, the housing 110 contains an internal lumen
or hole 112,
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which contains the proximal end 124 of the cable 120 and partially contains
the first coaxial
connector 130. The lumen 112 extends through at least a portion of the housing
110 along a
longitudinal axis 111 (Fig. 6), which may substantially align with axis 122 of
the cable 120 when
the cable 120 is installed within the lumen 112. As shown in Fig. 6, for
example, portions of the
.. lumen 112 may have different diameters orthogonal to longitudinal axis 111.
The lumen 112 is
contiguous with an opening 115 of a proximal concavity 114. The first coaxial
connector 130
may extend from lumen 112 through opening 115 and partially protrude into the
area surrounded
by the concavity 114.
[0031] In addition to providing a watertight seal, the elastomeric body
140 forms a resilient
compressible surface 142 (Fig. 2) within the area surrounded by the concavity
114. The
compressible surface 142 can provide a watertight seal against a complementary
(or second)
connector assembly 200 (Fig. 7), as further described below. The elastomeric
body 140 can be
constructed of any suitably durable and elastomeric material, such as
silicone, butyl rubber
polyamide, polyester, olefin, styrenics, urethane, and a composite of a
thermoplastic and cured
.. rubber. More specific examples include room temperature vulcanization
silicone, uncured
ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer (EPDM) blended with polypropylene, styrene-
butadiene-
styrene block polymer, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block polymer, cured
ethylene-
propylene-diene copolymer/polypropylene blend, cured isobutylene isoprene
rubber/polypropylene blend, and cured nitrite butadiene rubber /
polyvinylchloride blend. The
elastomeric material 140 may have a relatively low melting temperature, to
facilitate assembly
with the coaxial cable 120 without heat-induced damage. Some embodiments of
the elastomeric
body 140 are unitary in construction, i.e., formed of a single piece of
elastomeric material. Such
a unitary body may be held in place or sealed with a sealant or adhesive, or
in direct contact with
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the other structures in the connector assembly 100. Some embodiments of the
elastomeric body
140 do not need to move (i.e., either translate or deflect) relative to the
housing to achieve a
watertight fit. In such embodiments, the elastomeric body acts as a static
plug between the
housing 110 and the cable 120 and connector 130.
[0032] As also shown in Fig. 6, a slot 116 for a bayonet connection is
present on the side of
the concavity 114. The bayonet slot 116 may be substantially L-shaped and
comprise a detent
118 that accommodates a bayonet connector post (e.g., bayonet connector post
240, Fig. 7) of a
complementary connector assembly (e.g., assembly 200, Fig. 7). The detent 118
may be
configured to provide a tactile indication when the bayonet connector post 240
is in place in the
detent 118. The bayonet slot 116 and the bayonet connector post 240 may be
referred to
generically as interlocking connector elements.
[0033] As shown in Fig. 9, the connector assembly 100 may be connected
to a second
complementary connector assembly 200. The connector assembly 200 may include a
second
coaxial connector 230. The second coaxial connector 230 may be connected to a
second cable (in
which case it is a splice) or it may be connected to hardware that originates,
receives, or modifies
the radio frequency signal carried by the first coaxial cable 120. As shown in
Figs. 7-9, the
second connector assembly 200 has a contact surface 210 shaped to fit within
the area
surrounded by the concavity 114 and against the elastomeric body 140.
[0034] As shown in Fig. 8, an elongated lumen or cavity 220 is
positioned within the contact
.. surface 210. The lumen 220 is dimensioned to contain the second coaxial
connector 230, which
is complementary to the first coaxial connector 130 (i.e., if the first
coaxial connector 130 is
male, the second coaxial connector 230 is female, and vice-versa). In the
illustrated embodiment,
the lumen 220 comprises two diametrically opposed slots 232 to accommodate the
tabs on a
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standard female coaxial antenna connector, but the slots 232 may be absent in
embodiments
intended for other types of connections.
100351 The illustrated embodiment of the second connector assembly 200
in Figs. 7-9
includes a pair of bayonet connector posts 240 that lock into the bayonet
connector slots 116 of
the first connector assembly 100 when the contact surface 210 fits against the
elastomeric body
140. Particularly, the connector posts 240 may slide along the respective
slots 116 until posts 240
rest in the respective detents 118. The second coaxial connector 230 is
positioned within the
lumen 220, such that the second coaxial connector 230 is fully engaged to the
first coaxial
connector 130 when the bayonet connector posts 240 are locked in the bayonet
connector slots
116, and such that the contact surface 210 exerts compressive force on the
elastomeric body 140
sufficient to provide a watertight interface.
[0036] When installed within the concavity 114 against the elastomeric
body 140, the contact
surface 210 of second connector assembly 200 exerts compressive force against
the elastomeric
body 140 (e.g., at compressible surface 142), which exerts a counterforce when
compressed,
resulting in a leakless or watertight fit. In the illustrated embodiment of
Figs. 7-9, the contact
surface 210 has a raised gasket ring 212 portion. The raised gasket ring 212
creates a region of
increased compressive force against the elastomeric body 140 to enhance the
watertight seal. In
the illustrated embodiment, the raised gasket ring 212 is integral with the
contact surface 210,
but in other implementations, a separate gasket structure could be provided.
[0037] During installation (e.g., a field operation), the connector posts
240 of the second
connector assembly 200 are inserted into the slots 116 of the first connector
assembly 100. One
or both of the first coaxial connector assembly 100 and second coaxial
connector assembly 200
may be rotated around their longitudinal axes (e.g., axis 122) to lock the
bayonet connection
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(e.g., to position the bayonet connector posts 240 in the detents 118 of the
bayonet connector
slots 116). In one implementation, the elastomeric body 140 is immobile
relative to the housing
110 and the cable 120. Thus, the housing 110, the cable 120, the coaxial
connector 130, and the
elastomeric body 140 of first connector assembly 100 may rotate as a single
component. The
rotation of the first coaxial connector assembly 100 relative to the second
connector assembly
200 may be limited to a half turn (e.g., 180 degrees) or less, as established
by the length and/or
amount of the slots 116.
100381 Although in some cases the push and turn operation may be
performed by hand by
pinching the connector housing 110 between the fingers, in those embodiments
requiring high
torque to achieve a watertight connection, handholds may be necessary to allow
an installer to
exert sufficient torque by hand. The use of such handholds can avoid the
undesirable use of tools
during installation. As shown in Figs. 1, 3, 5, and 6, for example, the
handhold may take the
form of one or more wings 150 extending radially from the housing 110. The
wings 150 are be
configured to bear the load associated with rotation of the housing 110 by the
installer. More
particularly, a force tangential to the circumference of concavity 114 may be
applied to one or
more of wings 150, causing housing 110 to rotate. As shown in Figs. 1-9, a
specific embodiment
of the connector assembly comprises two wings 150 disposed about 180 degrees
from one
another on the housing 110, distal to the concavity 114. Other possible forms
of the handhold
include a high-friction patch to accommodate a user's thumb, a knob, ridges,
and other means to
facilitate purchase of the user's hands or fingers.
[0039] While Figs. 1-9 show a configuration with the first connector
assembly 100 and the
second connector assembly 200 joined using a bayonet-type interlocking
connector elements,
according to another implementation, the first connector assembly 100 and the
second connector
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assembly 200 may be joined using a different type of interlocking connector
elements, such as
snap-fit interlocking connector elements. For example, instead of the slots
116, the concavity 114
in the first connector assembly 100 may include cantilever snap-fit elements
to receive the
connector posts 240 of the second connector assembly 200 (or another structure
that may clip
into place). The snap-fit elements and the connector posts 240 may be
configured to form a
permanent snap-fit or a reusable snap-fit.
[0040] Figs. 10-16 provide various views of another embodiment of a
connector assembly
1000. In contrast with connector assembly 100 described above, connector
assembly 1000 is
configured to be connected to a connector assembly 2000 (Fig. 16).
[0041] An embodiment of the connector assembly 1000 comprises the coaxial
cable 120, the
first coaxial connector 130 electrically connected to the cable 120, an outer
housing 1100 around
the cable 120 and at least part of the first coaxial connector 130, an
elastomerie body 1400 within
a concavity 1140, and an elastomeric ring 1430 (Fig. 13) forming a watertight
seal between the
housing 1100 and the cable 120 at a distal end of connector assembly 1100.
[0042] Like the housing 110 described above, the housing 1110 is
constructed of a rigid
material, such as a rigid polymer material. As shown in Figs. 11-15, the
housing 1110 contains
an internal lumen or hole 1120, which contains the proximal end 124 of the
cable 120 and
partially contains the first coaxial connector 130. The lumen 1120 extends
through at least a
portion of housing 1100 along a longitudinal axis 1110. The lumen 1120 is
contiguous with an
.. opening 1150 of the proximal concavity 1140. The first coaxial connector
130 may extend from
lumen 1120 through opening 1150 and partially protrude into the area
surrounded by the
concavity 1140.
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[0043] As shown in Fig. 15, for example, portions of the lumen 1120 may
have different
diameters extending orthogonally to longitudinal axis 1110. In one
implementation, the different
diameters of lumen 1120 form a shoulder 1130 against which the first coaxial
connector 130
abuts to constrain the first coaxial connector 130 from sliding out of the
distal end of lumen
1120. Additionally as shown in Fig. 15, in one embodiment, a portion of the
wall of the lumen
1120 may include indentations 1122 conforming to an outer shape of the first
coaxial connector
130. When assembled in connector assembly 1000, the first coaxial connector
130 may fit within
the indentions 1122 to prevent independent rotation of connector 130 within
housing 1100.
[0044] As also shown in Fig. 15, a slot 1160 for a bayonet connection is
present on the side
of the concavity 1140. The bayonet slot 1160 may comprise a detent 1180 that
accommodates a
bayonet connector tabs or post (e.g., tab 2400, Fig. 16) of a complementary
connector assembly
(e.g., 2000, Fig. 16). The detent 1180 may be configured to provide a tactile
indication when the
bayonet connector tab 2400 is in place in the detent 118. The bayonet slot
1160 and the bayonet
connector tab 2400 may be referred to generically as bayonet connector
elements.
[0045] According to one implementation, the elastomeric body 1400 may be
constrained
within a channel 1410 along an interior surface of the concavity 1140. The
elastomeric body
1400 may provide a water-tight seal when compressed against a contact surface
2100 of the
second connector assembly 2000. The elastomeric body 1400 also forms a
resilient compressible
surface 1420 within the concavity 1140. The elastomeric body 1400 and the
elastomeric ring
1430 can be constructed of any suitably durable and elastomeric material,
similar to materials for
elastomeric body 140 described above. However, the elastomeric body 1400 and
the elastomeric
ring 1430 may not necessarily be formed from the same material. For example,
the elastomeric
ring 1430 may be a potted component formed from a fluid polymer injected
through a port 1190,
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while the elastomeric body 1400 may include a pre-configured gasket inserted
into the channel
1410.
[0046] Connection of the first connector assembly 1000 and the second
connector assembly
2000 may be performed by hand, similar to operations described above for first
connector
.. assembly 100 and the second connector assembly 200. During installation
(e.g., a field
operation), the connector posts 240) of the second connector assembly 2000 are
inserted into the
slots 1160 of the first connector assembly 1000. The housing 1100, the cable
120, and the
coaxial connector 130 of first connector assembly 1000 may be rotated as a
single component
relative to the second connector assembly 2000. The rotation of the first
coaxial connector
assembly 100 relative to the second connector assembly 200 may be limited to a
one-third (e.g.,
120 degrees) or less, as established by the length and/or amount of the slots
1160.
[0047] Wings 1500 extending radially from housing 1100 may be used to
provide torque
when rotating first connector assembly 1000. As shown in figures 10-16, a
specific embodiment
of the connector assembly 1000 comprises three wings disposed about 120
degrees from one
another on the housing 1100, distal to the concavity 1140. In other
implementations, a high-
friction patch to accommodate a user's thumb, a knob, ridges, etc., may be
included to facilitate
application of the user's hands or fingers to housing 1100.
[0048] As shown in Fig. 16, the second connector assembly 2000 has a
contact surface 2100
shaped to fit within the concavity 1140 against the elastomeric body 1400. The
contact surface
exerts compressive force against the elastomeric body 1400, and the
elastomeric body 1400
exerts a counterforce when compressed within channel 1410, resulting in a
leakless or watertight
fit. Similar to the connector assembly 200, the second connector assembly 2000
also includes a
second coaxial connector 230, which is complementary to the first coaxial
connector 130. The
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illustrated embodiment of Fig. 16 comprises a set of three bayonet connector
tabs 2400 that lock
into the bayonet connector slots 1600 when the contact surface 2100 fits
against the elastomeric
body 1400. The second coaxial connector 230 is positioned within a lumen of
contact surface
2100, such that the second coaxial connector 230 is fully engaged to the first
coaxial connector
130 when the bayonet connector posts 2400 are locked in the bayonet connector
slots 1160, and
such that the contact surface 2100 exerts compressive force on the elastomeric
body 1400
sufficient to provide a watertight interface.
[0049] A process 1700 is provided for making a connector assembly for a
coaxial cable, such
as any of the embodiments described above. Process 1700 may include inserting
the coaxial
cable into the internal lumen of the housing member (block 1710), connecting
the first coaxial
connector to the cable (block 1720), and positioning the first coaxial
connector so that it partially
protrudes into the concavity (block 1730). For example, in the embodiment of
Figs. 1-6, the
proximal end 124 of the coaxial cable 120 may be inserted through the lumen
112 of the housing
110 and beyond the proximal end of the concavity 114. The coaxial connector
130 may be
conductively attached to the proximal end 124, and the housing 110 may be slid
down the cable
120 so that the coaxial connector 130 is positioned at the junction of the
lumen 112 and the
concavity 114.
[0050] Similarly, in the embodiment of Figs. 10-15, the proximal end 124
of the coaxial
cable 120 may be inserted through the lumen 1120 of the housing 1100 and
beyond the proximal
end of the concavity 1140. The coaxial connector 130 may be conductively
attached to the
proximal end 124 and the housing 1100 may be slid down the cable 120 so that
the coaxial
connector 130 is positioned at the junction of the lumen 1120 and the
concavity 1140. In one
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implementation, the shoulder 1130 provides a stopping point to position the
coaxial connector
130 at the junction of the lumen 1120 and the concavity 1140.
[0051] Process 1700 may also include forming a watertight seal around a
portion of the
coaxial cable within the lumen (block 1740), and providing a compressible
elastomeric body in a
concavity of the housing member (block 1750). For example, in the embodiment
of Figs. 1-6, the
lumen 112 may be substantially filled, and concavity 114 may be partially
filled, with a fluid
polymer. The fluid polymer may be solidified to form the compressible
elastomeric body 140.
The fluid polymer may be, for example, a thermoset or a thermoplastic. General
examples of
suitable thermoplastic elastomers include a polyamide, silicone, polyester,
olefin, styrenics,
urethane, and a composite of a thermoplastic and cured rubber. More specific
examples include
room temperature vulcanization silicone, uncured EPDM blended with
polypropylene, styrene-
butadiene-styrene block polymer, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block
polymer, cured
ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer/polypropylene blend, cured isobutylene
isoprene
rubber/polypropylene blend, and cured nitrite butadiene rubber
/polyvinylchloride blend.
[0052] As another example of process blocks 1740 and 1750, in the
embodiment of Figs. 10-
15, a portion of lumen 1120 may be filled with the fluid polymer (e.g., using
port 1190) and the
fluid polymer may be solidified to form the elastomeric ring 1430, which forms
a watertight seal
between the cable 120 and the interior wall of the lumen 1120. Additionally,
elastomeric body
1400 may be inserted into channel 1410. Elastomeric body 1400 may be secured
within channel
1410, for example, via an interference fit, an adhesive, or another mechanical
attachment
mechanism.
[0053] In some implementations, process 1700 may further include
backfilling the lumen
with a second fluid elastomer (block 1760). For example, the lumen 112 may be
backfilled with
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additional fluid elastomer (which may be the same or different in composition
to the first
elastomer) to ensure a good seal between the housing 110/1100 and the cable
120. In one
embodiment, the second elastomer is introduced into any remaining space around
the cable 120.
In some more specific embodiments, the second elastomer is also introduced
into the concavity
114/1140, forming a sealing layer over the protruding compressible elastomeric
body 140/1400.
In further embodiments, the second elastomer is introduced into any remaining
space between
the compressible elastomeric body 140/1400 and the housing member 110/1100.
The
compressible elastomeric body 140/1400 may be adhered or sealed to the other
structures in the
connector assembly 100/1000 by applying the second fluid polymer, such as
polyurethane.
100541 A waterproof connector assembly is provided for connecting a coaxial
cable, having a
first coaxial connector, to a second coaxial connector. The connector assembly
includes the
coaxial cable, the first coaxial connector conductively connected to a
proximal end of the coaxial
cable, configured to connect to the second coaxial connector; and an outer
housing member
having a proximal end and a distal end. The outer housing member includes an
internal lumen
containing the proximal end of the coaxial cable and at least partially
containing the first coaxial
connector; a concavity at the proximal end of the outer housing member,
wherein the concavity
includes an opening that is contiguous with the internal lumen; and a first
interlocking connector
element in the concavity. The connector assembly further includes at least one
sealing body
within the internal lumen of the outer housing member, the at least one
sealing body forming a
.. watertight seal between the housing and the cable, and a resilient
compressible surface encircling
or surrounding the first coaxial connector. The waterproof connector assembly
provides
simplified attachment using a push-on coaxial connector, eliminating alignment
challenges of
threaded connectors and complexities of some three-piece waterproofing designs
used for some
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coaxial connector assemblies. The waterproof connector assembly may be used to
connect an
outdoor device, such as a water meter, to an antenna or transmitter.
[0055] The foregoing description of implementations provides
illustration and description,
but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise
form disclosed.
Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or
may be acquired from
practice of the invention. For example, while a series of blocks have been
described with regard
to Fig. 17, the order of the blocks and message/operation flows may be
modified in other
embodiments. Further, non-dependent blocks may be performed in parallel.
[0056] Use of ordinal terms such as "first," "second," "third," etc., in
the claims to modify a
claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of
one claim element
over another, the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed, the
temporal order in
which instructions are performed, etc., but are used merely as labels to
distinguish one claim
element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for
use of the
ordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements.
[0057] No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the
present application
should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless
explicitly described as such.
Also, as used herein, the articles "a," "an," and "the" are intended to
include one or more items.
Further, the phrase "based on" is intended to mean "based, at least in part,
on" unless explicitly
stated otherwise. The term "and/or" is intended to be interpreted to include
any and all
combinations of one or more of the associated items. The word "exemplary" is
used herein to
mean "serving as an example." Any embodiment or implementation described as
"exemplary" is
not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other
embodiments or
implementations.
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[0058] As set forth in this description and illustrated by the drawings,
reference is made to
"an exemplary embodiment," "an embodiment," "embodiments," etc., which may
include a
particular feature, structure or characteristic in connection with an
embodiment(s). However, the
use of the phrase or term "an embodiment," "embodiments," etc., in various
places in the
specification does not necessarily refer to all embodiments described, nor
does it necessarily
refer to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments
necessarily mutually
exclusive of other embodiment(s). The same applies to the term
"implementation,"
"implementations," etc.
[0059] With reference to the use of the words "comprise" or "comprises"
or "comprising" in
the foregoing description and/or in the following claims, unless the context
requires otherwise,
those words are used on the basis and clear understanding that they are to be
interpreted
inclusively, rather than exclusively, and that each of those words is to be so
interpreted in
construing the foregoing description and the following claims.
[0060] It is to be understood that any given elements of the disclosed
embodiments of the
invention may be embodied in a single structure, a single step, a single
substance, or the like.
Similarly, a given element of the disclosed embodiment may be embodied in
multiple structures,
steps, substances, or the like.
[0061] All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the
various aspects set
forth in this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of
ordinary skill in the
art are intended to be encompassed by the claims.
[0062] In the preceding specification, various preferred embodiments
have been described
with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however, be evident that
various
modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may
be
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. .
implemented, without departing from the broader scope of the invention as set
forth in the claims
that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in
an illustrative
rather than restrictive sense.
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