| 摘要 |
A coaxial plug-and-socket type electro-optical connector for connection underwater. The male portion of the connector has an elongate alignment probe which includes a forward portion with an axially-tapered opening. A longitudinal electrically conductive probe mounted coaxially in the tapered opening has a forward tip housing an optically transmissive interface. The female portion of the connector has an elongate alignment probe mounted coaxially in it. The female portion alignment probe has a conically-shaped outer surface which fits into the male alignment probe's tapered opening to align the male and female portions. An electrically conductive receptacle is contained in an axially bored channel of the female probe; the receptacle has a socket which accepts the forward tip of the conductive probe. An optically transmissive interface is positioned at the rear of the socket entry and faces the male portion optical interface when the connector portions are joined. Upon mating the two portions of the connector, optical connection is provided through the facing optical interfaces and electrical connection through the contacting, electrically conductive probe and receptacle. The tapered surface and opening also seal the optical and electrical connections to water. When the connector is cycled underwater, seawater trapped between the sealed portions of the alignment probes enhances the transmissivity of the optical interface. When cycled above water, a few drops of oil or water introduced into the sealed portion enhances the transmissivity in a similar way.
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