The Application of Mechanical Clamps to Portsmouth Connectors

摘要

The efficiency of mechanical clamps applied to the molded boot of the MIL-C-24231 (Portsmouth) underwater connector was investigated. A mission profile for underwater connectors was prepared and used to design laboratory test sequences to evaluate connector leakage. A test connector was designed that incorporated the important features of the Portsmouth connector with the addition of leakage monitors in the construction so that leakage paths in the connector could be identified during test. Construction variables of polyurethane or neoprene boots, both bonded and unbonded, clamp design and shielded or unshielded cable were investigated using factorial experimental design and analysis. A preferred clamped connector configuration was detetmined. Preferred test connectors were manufactured using bonded neoprene boots, shielded cable and Band-It Preform clamps and compared to a standard non-clamped polyurethane connector in accelerated life testing. It was determined that a mechanical clamp inhibits leakage in a connector. Although applying a clamp to a connector does not insure water-tight integrity, it was found that after 32 weeks of accelerated life testing, 78% fewer clamped connectors leaked than the control unclamped connectors. The data also indicated that neoprene and polyurethane bonds degrade with time but connectors made with neoprene molded boots were less likely to leak through a bond interface than those made with polyurethane molded boots.