Blind mate interconnect and contact

A coaxial interconnect and contact are provided. The coaxial contact is patterned to define a plurality of openings along its longitudinal length. An inner surface of the contact may circumferentially engage an outer surface of a mating contact, wherein such engagement causes at least a portion of the contact to flex radially outwardly. The contact may also flex in the longitudinal or axial direction.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates generally to electrical connectors, and particularly to coaxial connectors, and more particularly to blind mate interconnects utilizing male and female interfaces for the interconnecting of boards, modules, and cables.

The technical field of coaxial connectors, including microwave frequency connectors, includes connectors designed to transmit electrical signals and/or power. Male and female interfaces may be engaged and disengaged to connect and disconnect the electrical signals and/or power.

These interfaces typically utilize socket contacts that are designed to engage pin contacts. These metallic contacts are generally surrounded by a plastic insulator with dielectric characteristics. A metallic housing surrounds the insulator to provide electrical grounding and isolation from electrical interference or noise. These connector assemblies may be coupled by various methods including a push-on design.

The dielectric properties of the plastic insulator along with its position between the contact and the housing produce an electrical impedance, such as 50 ohms. Microwave or radio frequency (RF) systems with a matched electrical impedance are more power efficient and therefore capable of improved electrical performance.

DC connectors utilize a similar contact, insulator, and housing configuration. DC connectors do not required impedance matching. Mixed signal applications including DC and RF are common.

Connector assemblies may be coupled by various methods including a push-on design. The connector configuration may be a two piece system (male to female) or a three piece system (male to female-female to male). The three piece connector system utilizes a double ended female interface known as a blind-mate interconnect (BMI). The BMI includes a double ended socket contact, two or more insulators, and a metallic housing with grounding fingers. The three piece connector system also utilizes two male interfaces each with a pin contact, insulator, and metallic housing called a shroud. The insulator of the male interface is typically plastic or glass. The shroud may have a detent feature that engages the front fingers of the BMI metallic housing for mated retention. This detent feature may be modified thus resulting in high and low retention forces for various applications. The three piece connector system enables improved electrical and mechanical performance during radial and axial misalignment.

Socket contacts are a key component in the transmission of the electrical signal. Conventional socket contacts used in coaxial connectors, including microwave frequency connectors, typically utilize a straight or tapered beam design that requires time consuming traditional machining and forming techniques. Such contacts, upon engagement, typically result in a non-circular cross section, such as an oval, triangular, square or other simple geometric cross section, depending on the number of beams. These non-circular cross sections may result in degraded electrical performance. In addition, when exposed to forces that cause mated misalignment of pin contacts, conventional beam sockets tend to flare and may, therefore, degrade the contact points. In such instances, conventional beam sockets may also loose contact with some of the pin contacts or become distorted, causing damage to the beams or a degradation in RF performance.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a blind mate interconnect for connecting to a coaxial transmission medium to form an electrically conductive path between the transmission medium and the blind mate interconnect, the blind mate interconnect including a contact adapted for receiving a coaxial transmission medium. The contact may extend circumferentially about a longitudinal axis, the contact may include a main body, the main body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a first end and an opposing second end, the first end disposed on the proximal portion and the second end disposed on the distal portion, the contact comprising an electrically conductive material. The blind mate interconnect may further include an insulator circumferentially disposed about the contact, the insulator including a first insulator component and a second insulator component, the components cooperating to receive the contact. The first and second insulator components may include at least one insulator flange. In exemplary embodiments, the blind mate interconnect may include an outer conductor circumferentially disposed about the insulator, the outer conductor including a first end, a second end opposite the first end and a tubular body therebetween, the ends having at least one radial array of substantially helical slots starting at the first end and radially extending from an outer surface to an inner surface, the slots extending helically from the end along the tubular body for a distance, the slots delineating at least one array of substantially helical cantilevered beams, the helical cantilevered beams having at least a free end and a fixed end, the tubular body having at least one radial array of sinuate cuts, the cuts delineating at least one radial array of sinuate sections, the sinuate sections cooperating with the at least one array of substantially helical cantilevered beams to compensate for misalignment within a coaxial transmission medium, the conductor comprising an electrically conductive material.

In an alternate embodiment, the substantially helical cantilevered beams each may have at least one retention finger at the free end of the cantilevered beams.

In an alternate embodiment, the retention finger adapted to radially flex independently of the cantilevered beams.

In an alternate embodiment, the substantially helical cantilevered beams each having at least one insulator flange stop.

In an alternate embodiment, the substantially helical slots each defining at least one flange receptacle for receiving the at least one insulator flange, the at least one flange receptacle comprising a radial array of flange receptacles.

In an alternate embodiment, the helical slots being less than 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis.

In an alternate embodiment, the helical slots being from about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis.

In an alternate embodiment, the helical slots being from about 40 degrees to about 50 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis.

In an alternate embodiment, the outer conductor being able to compensate for mating misalignment between a mating pair of coaxial transmission mediums,

In an alternate embodiment, the outer conductor being able to compensate for mating misalignment, the compensation including one or more of radially expanding, radially contracting, axially compressing, axially stretching, bending, flexing, or combinations thereof.

In an alternate embodiment, the outer conductor including at least one radial array of substantially helical slots starting at the first end and at least one radial array of substantially helical slots starting at the second end, the slots radially extending from an outer surface to an inner surface, the slots extending helically from both ends along the tubular body for a distance, the slots delineating at least two arrays of substantially helical cantilevered beams.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present exemplary embodiments, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claims. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made in detail to the present embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, identical or similar reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to identical or similar parts. It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are merely examples with each one incorporating certain benefits of the present disclosure. Various modifications and alterations may be made to the following examples within the scope of the present disclosure, and aspects of the different examples may be mixed in different ways to achieve yet further examples. Accordingly, the true scope of the disclosure is to be understood from the entirety of the present disclosure in view of, but not limited to the embodiments described herein.

In an exemplary embodiment, a socket contact100may include a main body102extending along a longitudinal axis (FIG. 1). Main body102may have a proximal portion104, a distal portion108, and a central portion106that may be axially between proximal portion104and distal portion108. Each of proximal portion104, distal portion108, and central portion106may have inner and outer surfaces. Main body102may also have a first end110disposed on proximal portion104and an opposing second end112disposed on distal portion108. Main body102may be comprised of electrically conductive and mechanically resilient material having spring-like characteristics, for example, that extends circumferentially around the longitudinal axis. Materials for main body102may include, but are not limited to, gold plated beryllium copper (BeCu), stainless steel, or a cobalt-chromium-nickel-molybdenum-iron alloy such as Conichrome, Phynox, and Elgiloy. An exemplary material for main body102may be gold plated beryllium copper (BeCu).

In exemplary embodiments, socket contact100may include a plurality of external openings114associated with proximal portion104. In exemplary embodiments, at least one of external openings114extends for a distance from, for example, first end110, along at least a part of the longitudinal length of proximal portion104between the inner and outer surfaces of proximal portion104. Socket contact100may include at least one internal opening116, for example, that may be substantially parallel to openings114, but does not extend to first end110. In further exemplary embodiments (FIG. 1), socket contact100may also include other external openings120associated with distal portion108. In exemplary embodiments, at least one of external openings120extends for a distance from, for example, second end112, along at least a part of the longitudinal length of distal portion108between the inner and outer surfaces of distal portion108. Socket contact100may further include at least one other internal opening122, for example, that may be substantially parallel to openings120, but does not extend to second end112.

In exemplary embodiments (FIG. 1), the openings extending along the longitudinal length of portions104and108delineate, for example, longitudinally oriented u-shaped slots. Specifically, openings114,120respectively extending from ends110,112and openings116,122respectively not extending to ends110,122delineate longitudinally oriented u-shaped slots. In exemplary embodiment, socket contact100may include circumferentially oriented u-shaped slots delineated by a plurality of openings118extending at least partially circumferentially around central portion106. The circumferentially oriented u-shaped slots may be generally perpendicular to longitudinally oriented u-shaped slots.

In exemplary embodiments, the longitudinally oriented u-shaped slots delineated by openings114,116and120,122alternate in opposing directions such that, along the proximal portion104and distal portion108. In other words, the electrically conductive and mechanically resilient material circumferentially extends around the longitudinal axis, for example, in a substantially axially parallel accordion-like pattern, along the proximal portion104and distal portion108(FIG. 1). The radially outermost portion of electrically conductive and mechanically resilient material has a width, W, that in exemplary embodiments, may be approximately constant along different portions of the axially parallel accordion-like pattern. Additionally, the radially outermost portion of electrically conductive and mechanically resilient material has a height, H. In exemplary embodiments, height H may be approximately constant along different portions of the pattern. In further exemplary embodiments, the ratio of H/W may be from about 0.5 to about 2.0, such as from about 0.75 to about 1.5, including about 1.0.

In exemplary embodiments, main body102may be of unitary construction. In an exemplary embodiment, main body102may be constructed from, for example, a thin-walled cylindrical tube of electrically conductive and mechanically resilient material. For example, patterns have been cut into the tube (FIG. 1), such that the patterns define, for example, a plurality of openings that extend between the inner and outer surfaces of the tube. The thin wall tube may be fabricated to small sizes (for applications where, for example, small size and low weight are of importance) by various methods including, for example, extruding, drawing, and deep drawing, etc. The patterns may, for example, be laser machined, stamped, etched, electrical discharge machined or traditionally machined into the tube depending on the feature size. In exemplary embodiments, for example, the patterns are laser machined into the tube.

In exemplary embodiments, socket contact100may engage a coaxial transmission medium, for example, a mating (male pin) contact10(FIG. 2). An inner surface of proximal portion104and an inner surface of distal portion108may each be adapted to engage, for example, circumferentially, an outer surface of mating contact10. Prior to engagement with mating contact10, proximal portion104and distal portion108each have an inner width, or diameter, D1that may be smaller than an outer diameter D2of mating contact10. In some embodiments, engagement of the inner surface of proximal portion104or distal portion108with outer surface of mating contact10may cause portions104and108to flex radially outwardly. As an example, during such engagement, the inner diameter of proximal portion104and/or distal portion108may be at least equal to D2(FIG. 2). In the example, inner diameter of proximal portion104may be approximately equal to D2upon engagement with mating contact10while distal portion108not being engaged to a mating contact may have an inner diameter of D1. Disengagement of the inner surface of proximal portion104and/or distal portion108with the outer surface of mating contact10may cause inner diameter of proximal portion104and/or distal portion108to return to D1. While not limited, D2/D1may be, in exemplary embodiments, at least 1.05, such as at least 1.1, and further such as at least 1.2, and yet further such as at least 1.3. The outward radial flexing of proximal portion104and/or distal portion108during engagement with mating contact10may result in a radially inward biasing force of socket contact100on mating contact10, facilitating transmission of an electrical signal between socket contact100and mating contact10and also reducing the possibility of unwanted disengagement between socket contact100and mating contact10.

In exemplary embodiments, the inner surface of proximal portion104and the inner surface of distal portion108are adapted to contact the outer surface of mating contact10upon engagement with mating contact10. In exemplary embodiments, proximal portion104and distal portion108may each have a circular or approximately circular shaped cross-section of uniform or approximately uniform inner diameter of D1along their longitudinal lengths prior to or subsequent to engagement with mating contact10. In exemplary embodiments, proximal portion104and distal portion108may each have a circular or approximately circular shaped cross-section of uniform or approximately uniform inner diameter of at least D2along a length of engagement with mating contact10. Put another way, the region bounded by inner surface of proximal portion104and the area bounded by inner surface of distal portion108each, in exemplary embodiments, approximates that of a cylinder having a diameter of D1prior to or subsequent to engagement with mating contact10, and the region bounded by inner surface of proximal portion104and the area bounded by inner surface of distal portion108each, in exemplary embodiments, approximates that of a cylinder having a diameter of D2during engagement with mating contact10.

In one embodiment, socket contact100may simultaneously engage two mating (male pin) contacts10and12(FIG. 3). Mating contact10may, for example, circumferentially engage proximal portion104and mating contact12may circumferentially engage distal portion108. In some embodiments, mating contact10may not be coaxial with mating contact12, resulting in an axial offset distance A (or mated misalignment) between the longitudinal axis of mating contact10and the longitudinal axis of mating contact12(FIG. 3).

In exemplary embodiments, socket contact100may be adapted to flex, for example, along central portion106, compensating for mating misalignment between, for example, mating contact10and mating contact12. Types of mating misalignment may include, but are not limited to, radial misalignment, axial misalignment and angular misalignment. For purposes of this disclosure, radial misalignment may be defined as the distance between the two mating pin (e.g., mating contact) axes and may be quantified by measuring the radial distance between the imaginary centerline of one pin if it were to be extended to overlap the other pin. For purposes of this disclosure, axial misalignment may be defined as the variation in axial distance between the respective corresponding points of two mating pins. For purposes of this disclosure, angular misalignment may be defined as the effective angle between the two imaginary pin centerlines and may usually be quantified by measuring the angle between the pin centerlines as if they were extended until they intersect. Additionally, and for purposes of this disclosure, compensation for the presence of one, two or all three of the stated types of mating misalignments, or any other mating misalignments, may be simply characterized by the term “gimbal” or “gimballing.” Put another way, gimballing may be described for purposes of this disclosure as freedom for socket contact100to bend or flex in any direction and at more than one location along socket contact100in order to compensate for any mating misalignment that may be present between, for example, a pair of mating contacts or mating pins, such as mating contacts10,12. In exemplary embodiments, socket contact100may gimbal between, for example, mating contact10and mating contact12while still maintaining radially inward biasing force of socket contact100on mating contacts10and12. The radially inward biasing force of socket contact100on mating contacts10,12facilitates transmission of, for example, an electrical signal between socket contact100and mating contacts10and12and reduces the possibility of unwanted disengagement during mated misalignment.

In exemplary embodiments, when mating contact10is not coaxial with mating contact12, the entire inner surface of proximal portion104and the entire inner surface of distal portion108are adapted to contact the outer surface of mating contacts10and12upon engagement with mating contacts10and12. In exemplary embodiments, each of proximal portion104and distal portion108may have a circular or approximately circular shaped cross-section of a nominally uniform inner diameter of D1along their respective longitudinal lengths prior to or subsequent to engagement with mating contacts10and12. Additionally, each of proximal portion104and distal portion108may have a circular or approximately circular shaped cross-section of a nominally uniform inner diameter of at least D2along their longitudinal lengths during engagement with mating contacts10and12. Put another way, the space bounded by inner surface of proximal portion104and the space bounded by inner surface of distal portion108each, in exemplary embodiments, approximates that of a cylinder having a nominal diameter of D1prior to or subsequent to engagement with mating contacts10and12and the space bounded by inner surface of proximal portion104and the space bounded by inner surface of distal portion108each, in exemplary embodiments, approximates that of a cylinder having a nominal diameter of D2during engagement with mating contacts10and12.

In exemplary embodiments, socket contact100may gimbal to compensate for a ratio of axial offset distance A to nominal diameter D1, A/D1, to be at least about 0.4, such as at least about 0.6, and further such as at least about 1.2. In further exemplary embodiments, socket contact100may gimbal to compensate for a ratio of axial offset distance A to nominal diameter D2, A/D2to be at least about 0.3, such as at least about 0.5, and further such as at least about 1.0. In exemplary embodiments, socket contact100may gimbal to compensate for the longitudinal axis of mating contact10to be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of mating contact12when mating contacts10and12are not coaxial, for example, such as when A/D2may be at least about 0.3, such as at least about 0.5, and further such as at least about 1.0. In further exemplary embodiments, socket contact100may gimbal to compensate for the longitudinal axis of mating contact10to be substantially oblique to the longitudinal axis of mating contact12when mating contacts10and12are not coaxial, for example, when the relative angle between the respective longitudinal axes is not 180 degrees.

Alternate embodiments may include, for example, embodiments having openings cut into only a single end (FIG. 4). So called single ended variations (FIG. 4) may have the proximal portion of the socket adapted to engage, for example, a pin contact and the distal portion of the socket may, for example, be soldered or brazed to, for example, a wire, or, for example, soldered, brazed, or welded to another such contact as, for example, another socket/pin configuration. As with the socket contact100(seeFIGS. 1-3), the single ended socket contact variations (FIG. 4) may be adapted to flex radially and axially along at least a portion of their longitudinal length. The different patterns on the single ended socket contacts (FIG. 4) may also be found on double ended embodiments, similar to socket contact100(seeFIGS. 1-3).

A blind mate interconnect (BMI)500(FIGS. 5-7) as disclosed may include, for example, socket contact100, an insulator200, and an outer conductor300. Outer conductor300may extend substantially circumferentially about a longitudinal axis and may define a first central bore. Insulator200may be disposed within the first central bore and may extend substantially about the longitudinal axis. Insulator200may include a first insulator component202and second insulator component204that may, for example, cooperate to define a second central bore. In exemplary embodiments, socket contact100may be disposed within the second central bore.

Outer conductor300may have a proximal end302and a distal end304, with, for example, a tubular body extending between proximal end302and distal end304. In an exemplary embodiment, a first radial array of slots306may extend substantially diagonally, or helically, along the tubular body of conductor300from proximal end302for a distance, and a second radial array of slots308may extend substantially diagonally, or helically, along the tubular body of conductor300from proximal end304for a distance. Slots306,308may provide a gap having a minimum width of about 0.001 inches. Outer contact, being made from an electrically conductive material, may optionally be plated, for example, by electroplating or by electroless plating, with another electrically conductive material, e.g., nickel and/or gold. The plating may add material to the outer surface of outer conductor300, and may close the gap to about 0.00075 inches nominal. In exemplary embodiments, helical slots may be cut at an angle of, for example, less than 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis (not parallel to the longitudinal axis), such as from about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis, and such as from about 40 degrees to about 50 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis.

Slots306and308may define, respectively, a first array of substantially helical cantilevered beams310and a second array of substantially helical cantilevered beams312. Helical cantilevered beams310,312include, for example, at least a free end and a fixed end. In exemplary embodiments, first array of substantially helical cantilevered beams310may extend substantially helically around at least a portion of proximal end302and a second array of substantially helical cantilevered beams312extend substantially helically around at least a portion of distal end304. Each of helical cantilevered beams310may include, for example, at least one retention finger314and at least one flange stop316and each of plurality of second cantilevered beams312includes at least one retention finger318and at least one flange stop320. Slots306and308each may define at least one flange receptacle322and324, respectively. In an exemplary embodiment, flange receptacle322may be defined as the space bounded by flange stop316, two adjacent helical cantilevered beams310, and the fixed end for at least one of helical cantilevered beams310. In an exemplary embodiment, flange receptacle324may be defined as the space bounded by flange stop318, two adjacent helical cantilevered beams314, and the fixed end for at least one of helical cantilevered beams314. Helical cantilevered beams310and312, in exemplary embodiments, may deflect radially inwardly or outwardly as they engage an inside surface or an outside surface of a conductive outer housing of a coaxial transmission medium (see, e.g.,FIGS. 8 and 12), for example, providing a biasing force for facilitating proper grounding.

Outer conductor300may include, for example, at least one radial array of sinuate cuts at least partially disposed around the tubular body. the cuts delineating at least one radial array of sinuate sections, the sinuate sections cooperating with the at least one array of substantially helical cantilevered beams to compensate for misalignment within a coaxial transmission medium, the conductor comprising an electrically conductive material

First insulator component202may include outer surface205, inner surface207and reduced diameter portion210. Second insulator component204includes outer surface206, inner surface208and reduced diameter portion212. Reduced diameter portions210and212allow insulator200to retain socket contact100. In addition, reduced diameter portions210and212provide a lead in feature for mating contacts10and12(see, e.g.,FIG. 8) to facilitate engagement between socket contact100and mating contacts10and12. First insulator component202additionally may include an increased diameter portion220and second insulator component204may also include an increased diameter portion222(FIG. 8), increased diameter portions220,222may respectively have at least one flange230and232that engages outer conductor300, specifically, respective flange receptacles322and324(seeFIG. 6).

In exemplary embodiments, each of first and second insulator components202and204are retained in outer conductor portion300by first being slid longitudinally from the respective proximal302or distal end304of outer conductor portion300toward the center of outer conductor portion300(FIG. 7). First array of substantially helical cantilevered beams310and second array of substantially helical cantilevered beams312may be flexed radially outward to receive respective arrays of flanges230and232within respective flange receptacles322,324. In exemplary embodiments, flanges230,232reside freely within respective flange receptacles322,324, and may not react radially in the event cantilevered beams310,312flex, but may prevent relative axial movement during connection of first and second insulator components202and204as a connector is pushed or pulled against interconnect500.

In exemplary embodiments outer conductor portion300may be made, for example, of a mechanically resilient electrically conductive material having spring-like characteristics, for example, a mechanically resilient metal or metal alloy. An exemplary material for the outer conductor portion300may be beryllium copper (BeCu), which may optionally be plated over with another material, e.g., nickel and/or gold. Insulator200, including first insulator component202and second insulator component204, may be, in exemplary embodiments, made from a plastic or dielectric material. Exemplary materials for insulator200include Torlon® (polyamide-imide), Vespel® (polyimide), and Ultem (Polyetherimide). Insulator200may be, for example, machined or molded. The dielectric characteristics of the insulators202and204along with their position between socket contact100and outer conductor portion300produce, for example, an electrical impedance of about 50 ohms. Fine tuning of the electrical impedance may be accomplished by changes to the size and/or shape of the socket contact100, insulator200, and/or outer conductor portion300.

Connector500may engage with two coaxial transmission mediums, e.g., first and second male connectors600and700, having asymmetrical interfaces (FIG. 8). First male connector600may be a detented connector and may include a conductive outer housing (or shroud)602extending circumferentially about a longitudinal axis, an insulator circumferentially surrounded by the conductive outer housing602, and a conductive mating contact (male pin)610at least partially circumferentially surrounded by the insulator. Second male connector700may be, for example, a non-detented or smooth bore connector and also includes a conductive outer housing (or shroud)702extending circumferentially about a longitudinal axis, an insulator circumferentially surrounding by the conductive outer housing702, and a conductive mating contact (male pin)710at least partially circumferentially surrounded by insulator705. Outer conductor300may compensate for mating misalignment by one or more of radially expanding, radially contracting, axially compressing, axially stretching, bending, flexing, or combinations thereof. Mating misalignment may be integral to a single connector, for example, male connectors600or700or between two connectors, for example, both connectors600and700. For example, the array of retention fingers314located on the free end of the first array of cantilevered beams310may snap into a detent634of outer shroud602, securing interconnect500into connector600. Male pin610engages and makes an electrical connection with socket contact100housed within insulator202. Any misalignment that may be present between male pin610and outer shroud602may be compensated by interconnect500. A second connector, for example, connector700, that may be misaligned relative to first connector600is compensated for by interconnect500in the same manner (seeFIG. 10).

Connector500may engage with two coaxial transmission mediums, e.g., first and second male connectors600and700, having asymmetrical interfaces (FIG. 8). First male connector600may be a detented connector and may include a conductive outer housing (or shroud)602extending circumferentially about a longitudinal axis, an insulator605circumferentially surrounded by the conductive outer housing602, and a conductive mating contact (male pin)610at least partially circumferentially surrounded by insulator605. Second male connector700may be, for example, a non-detented or smooth bore connector and also includes a conductive outer housing (or shroud)702extending circumferentially about a longitudinal axis, an insulator705circumferentially surrounding by the conductive outer housing702, and a conductive mating contact (male pin)710at least partially circumferentially surrounded by insulator705.

In an alternate embodiment, a blind mate interconnect500′ having a less flexible outer conductor300′ may engage with two non-coaxial (misaligned) male connectors600′ and700(FIG. 9). Male connector600′ may act as a coaxial transmission medium and may include a conductive outer housing (or shroud)602′ extending circumferentially about a longitudinal axis, an insulator circumferentially surrounded by the conductive outer housing602′, and a conductive mating contact (male pin)610′ at least partially circumferentially surrounded by an insulator. Male connector700′ may also act as a coaxial transmission medium and may include a conductive outer housing (or shroud)602′ extending circumferentially about a longitudinal axis, an insulator circumferentially surrounded by the conductive outer housing602′, and a conductive mating contact (male pin)610′ at least partially circumferentially surrounded by an insulator.

Conductive outer housings602′ and702′ may be electrically coupled to outer conductor portion300′ and mating contacts610′ and710′ may be electrically coupled to socket contact100. Conductive outer housings602′ and702′ each may include reduced diameter portions635′ and735′, which may each act as, for example, a mechanical stop or reference plane for outer conductor portion300′. As disclosed, male connector600′ may not be coaxial with male connector600′. Although socket contact100may be adapted to flex radially, allowing for mating misalignment (gimballing) between mating contacts610′ and710′, less flexible outer shroud300′ permits only amount “X” of radial misalignment. Outer conductor300(seeFIG. 10), due to sinuate sections350and arrays310,312of helical cantilevered beams, may permit amount “Y” of radial misalignment. “Y” may be from 1.0 to about 3.0 times amount “X” and in exemplary embodiments may be about 1.5 to about 2.5 times amount “X.”

In alternate exemplary embodiments, socket contact100may engage a coaxial transmission medium, for example, a mating (female pin) contact15(FIG. 11). An outer surface of proximal portion104and an outer surface of distal portion108may each be adapted to engage, for example, circumferentially, an inner surface of mating contact15. Prior to engagement with mating contact10, proximal portion104and distal portion108each have an outer width, or diameter, D1′ that may be larger than an inner diameter D2′ of mating contact15. In some embodiments, engagement of the outer surface of proximal portion104or distal portion108with inner surface of mating contact15may cause portions104and108to flex radially inwardly. As an example, during such engagement, the outer diameter of proximal portion104and/or distal portion108may be at least equal to D2′ (FIG. 11). In the example, outer diameter of proximal portion104may be approximately equal to D2′ upon engagement with mating contact15while distal portion108not being engaged to a mating contact may have an outer diameter of D1′. Disengagement of the outer surface of proximal portion104and/or distal portion108with the inner surface of mating contact15may cause outer diameter of proximal portion104and/or distal portion108to return to D1′. While not limited, D1′/D2′ may be, in exemplary embodiments, at least 1.05, such as at least 1.1, and further such as at least 1.2, and yet further such as at least 1.3. The inward radial flexing of proximal portion104and/or distal portion108during engagement with mating contact15may result in a radially outward biasing force of socket contact100on mating contact15, facilitating transmission of an electrical signal between socket contact100and mating contact15and also reducing the possibility of unwanted disengagement between socket contact100and mating contact15.

In exemplary embodiments, the outer surface of proximal portion104and the outer surface of distal portion108are adapted to contact the inner surface of mating contact15upon engagement with mating contact15. In exemplary embodiments, proximal portion104and distal portion108may each have a circular or approximately circular shaped cross-section of uniform or approximately uniform inner diameter of D1′ along their longitudinal lengths prior to or subsequent to engagement with mating contact15. In exemplary embodiments, proximal portion104and distal portion108may each have a circular or approximately circular shaped cross-section of uniform or approximately uniform outer diameter of at least D2′ along a length of engagement with mating contact15. Put another way, the region bounded by outer surface of proximal portion104and the area bounded by outer surface of distal portion108each, in exemplary embodiments, approximates that of a cylinder having outer diameter of D1′ prior to or subsequent to engagement with mating contact15, and the region bounded by inner surface of proximal portion104and the area bounded by inner surface of distal portion108each, in exemplary embodiments, approximates that of a cylinder having a outer diameter of D2′ during engagement with mating contact15.

In some embodiments, blind mater interconnect500may engage a coaxial transmission medium, for example, a mating (male pin) contact800(FIG. 12) having a male outer housing or shroud802. An inner surface of proximal portion104and an inner surface of distal portion108may each be adapted to engage, for example, circumferentially, an outer surface of mating contact810and an inner surface of proximal portion302and an inner surface of distal portion304of outer conductor300may engage an outer surface of male outer housing802. Prior to engagement with male outer housing802, proximal portion302and distal portion304each have an inner width, or diameter, D3that may be smaller than an outer diameter D4of male outer housing802. In some embodiments, engagement of the inner surface of proximal portion302or distal portion304with outer surface of male outer housing802may cause portions302and304to flex radially outwardly. As an example, during such engagement, the inner diameter of proximal portion302and/or distal portion304may be at least equal to D4(FIG. 12). In the example, inner diameter of proximal portion302may be approximately equal to D4upon engagement with male outer housing802while distal portion304not being engaged to a male outer housing may have an inner diameter of D3. Disengagement of the inner surface of proximal portion302and/or distal portion304with the outer surface of male outer housing802may cause inner diameter of proximal portion302and/or distal portion304to return to D3. While not limited, D4/D3may be, in exemplary embodiments, at least 1.05, such as at least 1.1, and further such as at least 1.2, and yet further such as at least 1.3. The outward radial flexing of proximal portion302and/or distal portion304during engagement with male outer housing802may result in a radially inward biasing force of outer conductor300on male outer housing802, facilitating transmission of an electrical signal between outer conductor300and male outer housing802and also reducing the possibility of unwanted disengagement between outer conductor300and male outer housing802.