SUBMERSIBLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND METHOD FOR QUICK CONNECTION AND DISCONNECTION INCLUDING TAMPER INDICATION

摘要

A sealed connector assembly (10) for use with equipment subject to submersion under water includes two electrical connector shells (25, 29) which are inserted in bayonet fashion into opposite sides of a locking member (40), which is then manually rotated to lock the parts together and shield the electrical connection. The three parts have alignment marks (56, 58, 59) for axial assembly and another mark (57) indicating the rotation of the locking member (40) to a locked position. A body of grease (55) is disposed in one connector shell (25) and an O-ring (50) is placed on the barrel (27) to provide sealing when the connector shells (25, 27) are locked together. The connector shells (25, 29) have wire entry ports and sealing ports for admitting an encapsulating material to seal the wire entry ends. Score lines (68, 69) allow for fracture and removal of the locking member (40) during servicing. Methods of assembly and disassembly are also disclosed.