US 11,990,715 B2
Self-aligning radio frequency connector
Caroline Manteiga, North Andover, MA (US); Todd E. Southard, Bolton, MA (US); Dennis W. Mercier, Hudson, MA (US); Dennis Proulx, North Grosvenor Dale, CT (US); and Noah Goldberg, Wellesley, MA (US)
Assigned to Raytheon Company, Tewksbury, MA (US)
Filed by Raytheon Company, Waltham, MA (US)
Filed on Dec. 11, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/119,988.
Prior Publication US 2022/0190530 A1, Jun. 16, 2022
Int. Cl. H01R 24/40 (2011.01); H01R 13/631 (2006.01)
CPC H01R 24/40 (2013.01) [H01R 13/6315 (2013.01)] 26 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A rigid, self-aligning radio frequency (“RF”) connector comprising:
a rigid body having a substantially cylindrical configuration, and comprising a first connection end configured to selectively connect to and disconnect from a first device and a second connection end opposite the first connection end and configured to selectively connect to and disconnect from a second device;
a recess disposed on an outer surface of the rigid body between the first connection end and the second connection end and comprising an annular configuration; and
a collapsible connector support comprising a connection portion and a collapsible portion, the collapsible connector support being disposed within and protruding from the recess, and being configured to collapse into the recess,
wherein the collapsible connector support is configured to interface with an interfacing surface to facilitate generation of a reaction force sufficient to support the RF connector in an offset position relative to the interfacing surface
wherein the collapsible connector support comprises a flared O-ring supported within the recess, the collapsible portion comprising a compliant flared portion of the flared O-ring extending both radially outward and longitudinally away from the connection portion.