Interconnection
Designing in circular aerospace connectors? Standards are the key
Mick Varley, Lane Electronics tells CIE readers about some of the smaller and lighter connector solutions used in aerospace
M
anufacturers in the aerospace sector place stringent demands on the interconnection industry. Like
military products, the choice of aerospace connectors and its application is massively influenced by standards and approvals, traceability and overall performance along with the obvious weight and space saving considerations. The latest aircraft contains a huge amount of critical electrical and electronic systems designed to monitor and fly the plane, manage the engines, provide a communications capability and so on. Alongside these are less critical applications like in-flight entertainment but, together, all these system installations mean many hundreds of connector devices
incorporated within one airframe. The most common circular connector format specified throughout the aerospace industry is 8D/MIL-DTL-38999. These are threaded coupling connectors available in a wide range of shell sizes, materials and finishes.
The availability of different shell materials provides the user with the capability to select a connector for applications like aerospace where weight is clearly an issue. To give you an example, a size 15 connector with a stainless steel shell weighs 58.8g while one with a titanium shell weighs 33.9g, a weight saving of 42 per cent. Things get even lighter with an aluminium shell at 20.35g – that’s 40 per cent lighter than titanium – while a composite shell at 14.30g comes in at 30 per cent lighter than aluminium. Since these connectors are used in their hundreds some serious weight saving is possible.
The 8D/38999 connector is also a very versatile platform. Apart from the wide variety of sizes, materials and finishes, customers are able to specify contacts to suit the application. From Lane Electronics this can include signal, power, high power, coax, triax, quadrax or Elio fibre optic
contacts. This means our customers can “build” connectors to their own specification from our huge connector and accessories inventory. The connectors are manufactured by Souriau for whom Lane is an assembling distributor.
Never an industry to stand still, a series of miniature 8D/38999 connectors – the micro38999 series – has recently been
developed and is being used in many aerospace applications including aircraft cabin systems and UAVs. The Souriau micro38999 connector system provides true 38999 capability but in a smaller and lighter format for maximum weight and space saving.
www.fclane.com
Connectors give protection in tough environments
E
lectronics is finding its way into industry sectors where the operating environment places huge demands on the cable and connector manufacturer. These include construction, agriculture and process engineering where the need for completely reliable connector solutions has never been greater. binder, leaders in industrial circular connectors, developed its Series 696 HEC (for Harsh Environment Connector) for exactly these applications. The HEC connector offers excellent resistance to UV, temperature fluctuations, acid rain, salt spray, ozone and other pollutants. The connector’s design features a
secure, three-point fast locking mechanism with a robust coding system that prevents incorrect orientation while the use of crimp contacts makes for a vibration-proof termination. According to binder, HEC connectors are good for 1000plus mating cycles making them ideally suited for applications that require frequent connecting.
18 December 2018/January 2019
Recent additions to the Series 696 accessories range include variants that widen the applications for these harsh environment connectors. One is a protective conduit hose fitting for applications where cables and single wires need to be protected. This accessory is a protective conduit hose fitting
When fitted, the conduit hose protects to IP68/IPX9K and, according to binder, it can be retrofitted to existing installations when the need arises. It can be used with both HEC 696 cable connectors and panel mount connectors. The fitting consists of a hose seal, pressing screw and securing clip. binder can also supply the hose if required. Another is an accessory for panel mount applications sealing on the inside of the panel designed for sealing the single wires at the connection side and offers protection against dust and humidity. It consists of a set of seals accommodating wires of 2.5-6.0mm (AWG 14-10), a pressing screw and a ring which, when
Components in Electronics
fitted, meets IP67. It is specifically designed for 5 pole (4+PE) panel mount connectors. binder has also added an HEC panel- mount connector with a hinged cover for maximum protection when not mated. Designed by binder for fast and easy
assembly, this Series 696 female connector protects to IP67/IPX9K and can be supplied with 4+PE, 8 (4+3+PE) and 12 silver-plated contacts and features crimp termination.
www.binder-connector.co.uk www.cieonline.co.uk
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