Subsea electrical connector

摘要

A subsea wet electrical connector capable of repeated mating and unmating underwater at great depths and capable of operating under conditions of continuous and simultaneous high amperages and high voltages up to 35,000 volts while mated. The connector employs cylindrical pin contacts in the male plug and a dummy piston and cylinder mechanisms in the female receptacle to protect the female contact prior to mating. Dielectric insulating blocks, preferably machined from polycarbonate, and a dielectric insulating fluid provide the electrical insulation for the conductive components of both the male plug and female receptacle. Passageways within the dielectric block of the female receptacle permit flow of dielectric fluid through the cylinder of the female receptacle during mating and allow convective circulation of the dielectric fluid through the cylinder to dissipate heat from the vicinity of the electrical conductors and solid insulating blocks.