Abstract:
A clockable cable adapter includes a termination body, a clocking body and a retaining member configured to retain the clocking body to the termination body. Rotation of the clocking body and an external adapter partially engaged therewith is permitted, while rotation of the clocking body and external adapter is fixed when the clocking body is fully engaged with the external adapter. A cable assembly includes a cable fixed to a clockable adapter and an external adapter engaged with the clockable adapter.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to adapters configured for connection to coaxial cables and configured for transmission of high frequency signals. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     Coaxial cables for transmission of high frequency signals are in widespread use in many military and commercial fields, including research and design laboratories, aviation and land-based applications. Cables configured for transmission of high frequency signals are designed to meet various strength, interference shielding and signal propagation requirements, which vary by application. High frequency cables typically sacrifice flexibility and size in order to meet these requirements. 
     However, high frequency cables are increasingly being used in space-limited applications. In order to fit high frequency cables within constricted areas, angled adapters may be installed at the ends of high frequency cables to provide a change of direction in a relatively small space. 
     Such angled connectors are conventionally permanently attached to the cable to maintain signal quality and/or robustness. Cables may be fitted with angled connectors at one or both ends. In specifying a cable with two angled connectors, the angle of the connector as well as the relative angle between connectors must be specified. For example, a cable may have right angle (90°) connector at both ends, with one connector at a twelve o&#39;clock position as viewed down a length of the cable and with the other right angle connector at a three o&#39;clock position in the same view. Therefore, when angled adapters are installed at both ends of a high frequency cable, the orientation of the angled adapters relative to one another must be tightly controlled and pre-specified. Cables having angled connectors permanently installed at the ends thereof are typically specially manufactured for each specific application and typically may not be reused in a different application, increasing manufacturing costs and limiting availability. 
     Drawbacks also arise in the installation of such cables into their intended installed position in that is it often awkward to install a cable with one or more permanently attached angled adapters. Therefore, there exists a need for an improved adapter that addresses these concerns. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention related to clockable cable adapters and cable assemblies including clockable cable adapters. 
     In general, in one aspect, the invention features a clockable cable adapter, including a termination body configured to receive a cable and to be fixable thereto, the termination body including an annular surface and a retaining member engagement surface, a clocking body rotatably installed about the annular surface of the termination body, the clocking body including threads configured to engage an external adapter and to draw the external adapter toward the clocking cable adapter and a retaining member fixedly installed about the retaining member engagement surface of the termination body and configured to retain the clocking body to the termination body while allowing the clocking body to rotate about the termination body, wherein the clocking body is configured to rotate about the termination body when partially engaged with the external adapter, and when the clocking body is fully engaged with the external adapter, at least one of the termination body and the retaining member contacts the external adapter thereby preventing rotational movement of the external adapter and the clocking body relative to the termination body. 
     Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The clockable cable adapter may further include a contact configured to engage an inner conductor of the cable and an inner contact of the external adapter a contact dielectric disposed around the contact and a contact retaining member configured to engage the contact dielectric and the termination body thereby fixing the contact relative to the termination body. At least one of the termination body and the retaining member may have an end surface extending in a direction away from an end of the cable further than an endmost surface of the clocking body. The termination body may have an outer surface knurled to receive at least one of a cable jacket and a stress relief. The clocking body may have an outer surface knurled to receive at least one of a cable jacket and a stress relief. 
     In general, in another aspect, the invention features a cable assembly including a cable including an inner conductor, a dielectric disposed around the inner conductor and a shielding around the dielectric an external adapter and a clockable adapter which includes a termination body fixed to the shielding of the cable, the termination body including an annular surface and a retaining member engagement surface, a clocking body rotatably installed about the annular surface of the termination body, the clocking body including threads configured to engage the external adapter and to draw the external adapter toward the clocking cable adapter and a retaining member fixedly installed about the retaining member engagement surface of the termination body and configured to retain the clocking body to the termination body while allowing the clocking body to rotate about the termination body, wherein the clocking body is configured to rotate about the termination body when partially engaged with the external adapter, and when the clocking body is fully engaged with the external adapter, at least one of the termination body and the retaining member contacts the external adapter thereby preventing rotational movement of the external adapter and the clocking body relative to the termination body. 
     Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following additional features. A cable assembly may further include a second clocking adapter and a second external adapter. A cable assembly may further include a braided shielding around the shielding and a jacket around the braided shielding, the jacket extending over at least a portion of an outer surface of the termination body. The clocking body may have an outer surface and the jacket may extend over at least a portion of the outer surface of the clocking body. A cable assembly may further include a braided shielding around the shielding, a jacket around the braided shielding and a strain relief around at least a portion of the jacket, the strain relief extending over at least a portion of an outer surface of the termination body. The clocking body may have an outer surface and the strain relief may extend over at least a portion of the outer surface of the clocking body. The external adapter may be an angled adapter and rotation of the external adapter about the termination body may correlate to rotation of an output axis of the angled adapter relative to a plane through a major axis of the cable. The termination body may have an outer surface knurled to receive at least one of a cable jacket and a stress relief. The temination body may have an outer surface knurled to receive at least one of a cable jacket and a stress relief. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above mentioned and other aspects, features and advantages can be more readily understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an unsheathed cable, a clockable adapter and an angled adapter in a disassembled configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of an unsheathed cable, a clockable adapter and an angled adapter in an assembled configuration taken along a plane which intersects a major axis of the cable according to another exemplary embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of a sheathed cable and a clockable adapter taken along a plane which intersects a major axis of the cable according to another exemplary embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a sheathed cable, a clockable adapter and an angled adapter in an assembled configuration according to another exemplary embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a clockable adapter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 6A  is a side view of an unsheathed cable, clockable adapters and angled adapters in an assembled configuration according to another exemplary embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 6B  is an end view of the unsheathed cable, clockable adapters and angled adapters shown in  FIG. 6A  in an assembled configuration according to another exemplary embodiment of the present application; and 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of an unsheathed cable, a clockable adapter and an angled adapter in an assembled configuration taken along a plane which intersects a major axis of the cable according to another exemplary embodiment of the present application. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Cable adapters and connectors are described herein, with reference to examples and exemplary embodiments. Specific terminology is employed in describing examples and exemplary embodiments. However, the disclosure of this patent specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner. Similarly, while some examples discussed herein concern coaxial cables, adapters and connectors, the present disclosure also relates to cables, adapters and connectors that are not coaxial, such as, for example, multi-conductor cables, adapters and connectors. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, shown in  FIG. 1 , an unsheathed cable  10  and an angled adapter  12  are shown in a disassembled configuration. The unsheathed cable  10  is fitted with a clocking adapter  14 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a cross section of unsheathed cable  10  taken along a plane intersecting a major axis of the cable. Unsheathed cable  10  includes an inner conductor  16 , a dielectric  18 , and spiral shielding  20 . The unsheathed cable  10  is terminated by a clockable adapter  14 , which includes a termination body  22 , a shielding engagement member  24 , a retaining ring  26  and a clocking body  28 . The spiral shielding  20  may be attached to the clockable adapter  14  first by threading the spiral shielding  20  into complementary threads of the shielding engagement member  24  and later fixing the components together via a solder joint  30 . Shielding engagement member  24  may be configured with a “press-fit” engagement into an inner cable receiving bore of termination body  22 . 
     In another example, shown in  FIG. 3 , a sheathed cable  32  may include a braided shielding  34  and an outer jacket  36 . As shown, a crimp ring  38  may be crimped over the braided shielding  34  and a surface  40  of the termination body  22 . The termination body  22  may be configured with a knurled surface  40  to improve the grip of the crimp ring  38 . The cable jacket  36  may cover all or part of the braided shielding  34  and crimped crimp ring  38 . Further, as discussed in more detail below, the cable jacket  36  may cover all or part of the clockable adapter  14  and angled adapter  12  installed on the clockable adapter  14 . As another example, a strain relief  42  may be installed over the jacket  36  and all or part of the clockable adapter  14  and/or angled adapter  12 . For example, when extended over at least a portion of the clocking body  28 , a jacket  36  or strain relief  42  may act to prevent the clocking body from becoming unscrewed from an angled adapter, further fixing an installation angle therebetween. 
     Returning to  FIG. 2 , a clocking body  28  may include threads  44 , which engage with mating threads  46  of an angled adapter  12 . Of course, other features may be configured to engage the clockable adapter  14  and the angled adapter  12  instead of, or in addition to, threads. Further, it will be understood that while the description provided herein is provided in the context of a clockable adapter engaging an angled adapter, a clockable adapter according to the present invention may also be configured to engage an apparatus, another cable, a non-angled adapter, etc. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the termination body  22  may further include an annular surface  48  about which the clocking body  28  is installed and is free to rotate. Clocking body may be configured with a complementary annular surface  50 , which bears on annular surface  48 . In the example shown, a major axis of the annular surface  48  is substantially coaxial with a major axis of the cable  10 , although these major axes need not be configured in such an arrangement. For example, a major axis of the annular surface  48  of the termination body  22  may be configured parallel to, but offset from, a major axis of the cable  10 . In another example, a major axis of the annular surface  48  of the termination body  22  may be configured at a non-zero angle (for example 45° or 90°) relative to a major axis of the cable, and optionally offset therefrom. 
     The termination body  22  may further include a retaining member engagement surface  52  configured to engage the retaining member  26 . In one example, the termination body  22  includes an annular retaining member engagement surface  52  configured in combination with an inner bore  54  of the retaining member  26  to provide a “press-fit” between the two components. When installed on the termination body  22 , the retaining member  26  holds the clocking body  28  captive on the termination body  22  about the annular surface  48  thereof. Accordingly, the clocking body is free to rotate about the termination body  22  and retaining member  26 , but is prevented from coming free from them. The clocking body  28  may include one or more flats  76  configured to receive a wrench or other installation instrument. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , an angled adapter  12  is threaded onto the clocking body  28 . A top surface  56  of the termination body  22  and/or a top surface  58  of retaining member  26  are configured to contact an inner end surface  60  of angled adapter  12  when the angled adapter  12  is fully threaded onto clocking body  28 . However, when the angled adapter  12  is only partially threaded onto clocking body  28 , the clocking body and angled adapter  12  are free to rotate together about the cable  10 . It is only when the clocking body  28  is fully threaded into adapter body  12  that the angular relationship between the angled adapter  12  and the cable  10  becomes fixed, or “clocked.” Clockable body  28  may be configured such that an end  62  thereof does not extend past the end surfaces  56  and  58  of the termination body  22  and retaining member  26 , respectively, in order to ensure that the termination body  22  and/or the retaining member  26  contact the end surface  60  of the angled adapter  12  first, thereby fixing an installation angle of the angled adapter  12  on the cable  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6B , a view taken from a direction parallel to a major axis of cable  10 , an installation angle θ of an angled adapter may be freely chosen while the angled adapter  12   a  and clocking body  28  are not fully threaded onto one another, and may be fixed at a final installation angle β by fully engaging the threads  44  and  46 .  FIG. 6A  shows the cable  10  and angled adapters  12   a  and  12   b  of  FIG. 6B  from a side view and further illustrates the concept of relative installation angles between angled adapters  12   a  and  12   b  installed on either end of a cable  10 . 
     In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 7 , a clockable adapter  14  further includes a contact  64 , a contact dielectric  66  and a contact retaining member  68 . In this example, the contact may include a female end  70  configured to engage with the inner conductor  16  of the cable  10  and a male end  72  configured to engage with an inner conductor  74  of the angled adapter. Contact retaining member  68  may be “press-fit” into an inner bore or termination body  22 . 
     Materials for the various components may be chosen from among a wide range of suitable materials. In one example, termination body  22 , retaining member  26  and clocking body  28  may be formed of passivated stainless steel, brass, beryllium-copper or phosphor-bronze (such as by machining or casting), contact  64  may be manufactured of beryllium-copper or phosphor-bronze, dielectric  18  and contact dielectric  66  may be formed of (such as by machining or molding) PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene, a brand of which is Teflon), etc. Metal components may be plated with other metals such as nickel or gold. 
     In addition, the embodiments and examples above are illustrative, and many variations can be introduced on them without departing from the spirit of the disclosure or from the scope of the appended claims. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative and exemplary embodiments herein may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure. As another example, two or more of the various components described herein may be combined into one or more consolidated components or one of the various single components described herein may be provided as two or more sub-components.