Patent ID: 6193535
Filing Date: 2001-02-27
Classification: F41F,H01R,Y10S

Abstract:
A connector assembly located adjacent to the exhaust cone of a missile and having two sections, a first section affixed to a structure on the ground so that it is retained on the ground after the missile is launched and a second section connected to the missile so that it travels with the missile after the missile is launched, the connector assembly used to connect electronic components from a ground based computer system to a second computer system located at a location on the missile wherein the connector assembly is separated into two sections when the missile is launched, with the first section of the connector assembly including a plug housing, an insert assembly having several sections of plugs with holes to accommodate respective contact pins connected at one end to the ground based computer system and connected at their other ends to female socket members which are housed in connector inserts located in the second section within the connector assembly and which female socket members are in turn connected to wires which are connected to the second computer system on the missile, the connector assembly comprising:a. a deadface housed within the second section of the connector assembly and located between the connector insert within the second section and the adjacent insert plug of the first section;b. the deadface having a multiplicity of openings extending through the thickness of the deadface to accommodate a respective one of said multiplicity of connector pins; andc. the deadface made out of alumina powder based ceramic which is not fully cured and can withstand temperatures in the range between 3,000.degree. Fahrenheit and 5,000.degree. Fahrenheit;d. whereby when said missile is launched, the deadface is the portion of the connector assembly attached to the missile which is exposed to the heat of the missile exhaust and thereby prevents the remaining components in the second section of the connector assembly from being damaged by the missile exhaust.