| 摘要 |
An aircraft fixed receptacle connector and a ground supply free plug connector used in commercial and military aircraft. This high performance external power connector is capable of operating in the 120 KVA rating to meet the electrical load requirement on today's newer, larger, and higher capacity aircraft. An array of high amperage power contacts and conventional pin and socket relay contacts are used. One embodiment of the present invention is the receptacle connector housing having an extended shroud with boss like creepage barrier tubes and keyway to engage an envelope of plug connector housing having male boss and key. Specifically, boss like creepage barrier tubes and male boss are constructed to protect the high amperage power contacts. Another embodiment is the full mechanical coupling between the aircraft fixed receptacle connector and ground supply free plug connector as provided by having the latch pin in the plug connector in a locked position within the receptacle connector slide latch fastener. These embodiments ensure full electrical contact engagement, user friendly assembly between plug and receptacle connectors, and eliminate prior art short life cycle on the high amperage power contacts. A wire release lanyard is provided in the slide latch fastener to decouple the external power connectors. Additionally, a metal housing comprising a set of doors attached to a set of hinge springs which are connected to a slide link protects ground supply free plug connector from adverse usage and extreme weather conditions. The set of doors is closed when the plug connector is at its uncoupled condition and is open when the plug connector is being coupled to the aircraft fixed receptacle connector. Movement on these doors is initiated by a spring-loaded actuator pin which is mounted in the face of the plug connector. An environmentally sealing backshell threadedly connected on the distal end of the ground supply free plug connector body or housing allows power and relay contacts to be replaced when necessary. Another embodiment of the present invention is the power and relay electrical contacts are replaceable. This property is non-existent in the prior art aircraft external power connectors.
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