An Underwater Mateable Electrical Connector.

A plug-receptacle type electrical connector in combination with a thin, circular, elastomeric membrane joining a plurality of cylindrical elastomeric embossments formed as an integral part thereof. Each embossment further has conical ends at each extremity and an outside diameter slightly larger than the receptacle socket cavity it will contact. Each embossment also has a longitudinal through-hole of inside diameter ID slightly smaller than the electrical connector plug pin it is intended to fit over. The membrane is coated with a dielectric grease and slipped over the plug pins. Connector clamping forces produce hydrostatic forces, first on each embossment which causes water remaining between the pin and the embossment ID and then pin-to-pin to be broken into a discontinuous series of microspheres. The resulting discontinuity produces full electrical isolation for the assembled pins and sockets and pin-to-pin for the mated connector. Total refurbishment of a connector may thus be accomplished in situ. Patent applications. FR