Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates generally to communications, and specifically to a signal connector system.

Signal connectors that provide electrical connection between a pair of wires are necessary in nearly every piece of wired communications environment. There are numerous environmental challenges that can arise from ensuring connection of wires over long distances, such as to facilitate the use of signal connectors. One such environmental challenge includes the use of signal connectors in environments that can provide electrical conduction in ambient conditions. For example, electrical connections may be required in environments such as in fluids, such as water (e.g., seawater), that may create challenges in ensuring that separate signal conductors do not experience conduction between each other. Such conduction can lead to noise and/or cross-talk in the respective signals that are transmitted. Some connectors that can be implemented in such environments may be formed of non-traditional conductive materials. However, such materials, while potentially solving some of the environmental challenges, can introduce new challenges in such environments. <CIT> describes an underwater electrical contact mating system. <CIT> describes a wet-mateable electrical connection and an associated method.

The invention relates to a signal connector system according to independent claim <NUM>. The system includes a first connector comprising a first housing, and includes first contacts formed from a self-passivating transition metal. Each of the first contacts can be configured to conduct an AC signal. The system also includes a second connector comprising a second housing and second contacts formed from the self-passivating transition metal. Each of the second contacts can be configured to electrically couple to a respective one of the first contacts to conduct the AC signal. The first and second housings can be coupled to enclose the signal connector and to create at least one fluid-filled channel between each of the electrically-connected first and second contact pairs in response to fastening the first and second connectors while submerged in a respective fluid to provide a resistive path in the at least one fluid-filled channel for providing signal isolation between each of the electrically-connected first and second contact pairs.

The invention also relates to a method for providing a plurality of AC signals along a respective plurality of conductors across a signal connector system according to independent claim <NUM>. The method includes submerging a first connector and a second connector in a fluid. The first connector includes a first housing and a first plurality of contacts formed from a self-passivating transition metal. The second connector includes a second housing and a respective second plurality of contacts formed from the self-passivating transition metal, such that a dielectric film forms on a surface of the first and second contacts in response to submersion in the fluid. The method also includes attaching the first and second connectors to provide electrical connection between the each of the first contacts and a respective one of the second contacts to conduct a respective one of the AC signals between the respective electrically-connected first and second contact pair, and to form at least one fluid-filled channel between each electrically-connected first and second contact pair. Each of the fluid-filled channel(s) forms a resistive path between electrically-connected first and second contact pairs. The method further includes fastening the first and second connectors via a first fastener associated with the first connector and a second fastener associated with the second connection portion to form the signal connector system.

The present disclosure relates generally to communications, and specifically to a signal connector system. The signal connector system can be implemented in any of a variety of applications to provide a connection point for conductors (e.g., wires) that can each propagate a alternating current (AC) communication signal (hereinafter, "AC signal(s)"). As described herein, the term AC signal can refer to any variable amplitude signal, and is not limited to periodic or high-speed communications signals (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signals). The signal connector system includes a first connector and a second connector. As an example, the signal connector system can be implemented in an environment in which traditional connectors cannot be employed, such as in fluids. For example, the signal connector system can be implemented in an environment in which the first and second connectors can be connected with each other to form the signal connector system in such a non-traditional connection environment, such as submerged in a fluid (e.g., water). As an example, the first and second connectors can each be separately submerged in the fluid before being coupled together. As described herein, the signal connector system can be fabricated and arranged to facilitate propagation of separate AC signals on separate respective conductors in the fluid without experiencing noise and/or cross-talk between the separate respective conductors.

The first connector includes a first housing, and also includes a first plurality of contacts formed from a self-passivating transition metal. Each of the first contacts can be configured to conduct one of the AC signals. Similarly, the second connector includes a second housing and a second plurality of contacts formed from the self-passivating transition metal. For example, the self-passivating transition metal can be any of niobium, tantalum, titanium, zirconium, molybdenum, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, hafnium, tungsten, rhenium, osmium, and iridium. Each of the second contacts can be configured to electrically couple to a respective one of the first contacts to conduct the AC signal. When submerged in the fluid (e.g., water), the contacts develop a dielectric film that acts as a high-capacitance capacitor between the self-passivating transition metal and the fluid.

For direct current (DC) signals, the high DC resistance of the dielectric film thus provides insulation between the separate contacts in the fluid. However, for AC signals, the capacitance of the dielectric film presents a low AC reactance and acts as a high-pass filter, which can provide some conduction between the separate contacts resulting in cross-talk and/or noise in the respective separate AC signals. Therefore, when the first and second housings are coupled to substantially enclose the signal connector, the first and second housings can provide at least one channel for accommodating the fluid between each of the electrically-coupled first and second contact pairs to provide a resistive path that appears in series with the capacitances between the electrically-coupled first and second contact pairs. The resistive path can therefore provide signal isolation between the AC signals to substantially mitigate the conduction of the AC signals between the separate electrically-coupled first and second contact pairs to substantially mitigate the cross-talk and/or noise associated with the AC signals.

<FIG> illustrates a signal connector system <NUM>. The signal connector system <NUM> can be implemented in any of a variety of applications to provide a connection point for conductors (e.g.. wires) that can each propagate an alternating current (AC) signal. As described herein, the signal connector system <NUM> can be implemented in an environment that may require submersion of the signal connector system <NUM>. such as in water (e.g., seawater).

The signal connector system <NUM> includes a first connector ("CONNECTOR <NUM>") <NUM> and a second connector ("CONNECTOR <NUM>") <NUM>. The first connector <NUM> includes a plurality of contacts ("CONTACTS") <NUM> formed from a self-passivating transition metal and the second connector <NUM> includes a plurality of contacts ("CONTACTS") <NUM> formed from the self-passivating transition metal. As an example, the self-passivating transition metal can be niobium, or any other of a variety of transition metals (e.g., tantalum, titanium, zirconium, molybdenum, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, hafnium, tungsten, rhenium, osmium, and iridium). Additionally, upon fastening of the first and second connectors <NUM> and <NUM>, at least one fluid channel ("FLUID CHANNEL(S)") <NUM> is formed in the signal connector system <NUM>, such as between electrically-connected sets of the contacts <NUM> and <NUM>. the connectors <NUM> and <NUM> are demonstrated as fastened together, such as by fasteners (not shown), to form the signal connector system <NUM>, as demonstrated by a dotted line <NUM>. Each of the sets of contacts <NUM> and <NUM> are demonstrated as being coupled, respectively, to a respective set of conductors (e.g.. wires) <NUM> and <NUM> that are configured to propagate AC signals, demonstrated in the example of <FIG> as a signal AC_SIG. Therefore, when the connectors <NUM> and <NUM> are fastened together, each of the contacts <NUM> is coupled to a respective one of the contacts <NUM> to provide electrical connection between the contacts <NUM> and <NUM>. As a result, the AC signals AC_SIG can propagate between the sets of conductors <NUM> and <NUM> via the respective sets of electrically-connected contact pairs <NUM> and <NUM>.

When submerged in the fluid (e.g., water), the self-passivating transition metal contacts <NUM> and <NUM> develop a dielectric film that acts as a high-capacitance capacitor between the respective contacts <NUM> and <NUM> and the associated fluid. For direct current (DC) signals, the high DC resistance of the dielectric film thus provides insulation between the separate contacts <NUM> and <NUM> in the fluid. However, for AC signals, the capacitance of the dielectric film presents a low AC reactance and acts as a high-pass filter, which can provide some conduction between the separate contacts resulting in cross-talk and/or noise in the respective separate AC signals. Therefore, <FIG>, when the first and second connectors <NUM> and <NUM> are coupled to substantially enclose the signal connector system <NUM> (e.g., via respective housings, as described in greater detail herein), the fastening of the first and second connectors <NUM> and <NUM> can form the channel(s) <NUM> for accommodating the fluid between each of the electrically-coupled first and second contact pairs <NUM> and <NUM> to provide a resistive path between the electrically-coupled first and second contact pairs <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the resistive path can have a resistance magnitude that is sufficient to provide signal isolation between the AC signals AC_SIG in spite of the capacitance between them, and therefore can mitigate cross-talk and/or noise between the separate AC signals AC_SIG. As an example, the resistance magnitude can be greater than or equal to approximately <NUM>Ω. As described herein, the channel(s) <NUM> can be dimensioned to provide a desired resistance magnitude based on the properties of the fluid that fills the channel(s) <NUM>.

The contacts <NUM> and <NUM> can each be fabricated to include a tapered contact surface that is arranged to provide the electrical connection with a complementary tapered contact surface of a respective other one of the contacts <NUM> and <NUM>. Additionally, the first and second connectors <NUM> and <NUM> also include pliable insulator supports that are coupled to each of the respective contacts <NUM> and <NUM>. The pliable insulator supports provide a predetermined contact pressure between the first and second contacts <NUM> and <NUM>, such as to provide sufficient pressure to establish electrical connection between the first and second contacts <NUM> and <NUM>. The contact pressure can be sufficient to scrape and remove the insulating film that develops on the self-passivating transition metal when it is submerged in the fluid to provide direct metal-to-metal contact between the respective contacts <NUM> and <NUM>. The pliable insulator supports also limit the amount of contact pressure, such as to substantially mitigate galling of the contact surfaces of the contacts <NUM> and <NUM>. Furthermore, as described in greater detail herein, the pliable insulator supports are further configured to at least in part establish the channel(s) <NUM> between respective electrically-connected pairs of the contacts <NUM> and <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional diagram of a signal connector system <NUM> according to an embodiment. The signal connector system <NUM> corresponds to a diagrammatic portion of the signal connector system <NUM> of <FIG>. Therefore, reference is to be made to the example of <FIG> in the following description of the example of <FIG>.

The signal connector system <NUM> includes a first contact <NUM> and a second contact <NUM>. Similarly, the signal connector system <NUM> includes a third contact <NUM> and a fourth contact <NUM>. The contacts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are formed from a self-passivating transition metal. as described previously. The first and second contacts <NUM> and <NUM> are demonstrated as electrically connected at respective tapered contact surfaces, demonstrated at <NUM>, and the third and fourth contacts <NUM> and <NUM> are demonstrated as electrically connected at respective tapered contact surfaces, demonstrated at <NUM>. As an example, the first and third contacts <NUM> and <NUM> can be fabricated as a part of the first connector <NUM> and the second and fourth contacts <NUM> and <NUM> can be fabricated as part of the second connection portion <NUM>.

Additionally, the signal connector system <NUM> includes a first pliable insulator support <NUM> that is coupled to the first contact <NUM>, a second pliable insulator support <NUM> that is coupled to the second contact <NUM>. a third pliable insulator support <NUM> that is coupled to the third contact <NUM>. and a fourth pliable insulator support <NUM> that is coupled to the fourth contact <NUM>. Each of the pliable insulator supports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are likewise tapered to be coupled along a longitudinal surface of the respective contacts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> that is opposite the tapered contact surfaces of the respective contacts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. As described previously, the pliable insulator supports <NUM> and <NUM> provide a predetermined contact pressure between the first and second contacts <NUM> and <NUM>. such as to provide sufficient pressure to establish electrical connection between the first and second contacts <NUM> and <NUM>. Similarly, the pliable insulator supports <NUM> and <NUM> provide a predetermined contact pressure between the third and fourth contacts <NUM> and <NUM>, such as to provide sufficient pressure to establish electrical connection between the third and fourth contacts <NUM> and <NUM>. The contact pressure can be sufficient to scrape and remove the insulating film that develops on the self-passivating transition metal material when it is submerged in the fluid to provide direct metal-to-metal contact between the respective contacts <NUM> and <NUM> and the contacts <NUM> and <NUM>. As also described previously, the pliable insulator supports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. and <NUM> also limit the amount of contact pressure, such as to substantially mitigate galling of the contact surfaces of the respective contacts <NUM>. <NUM>, <NUM>.

Furthermore, as described previously, the pliable insulator supports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are further configured to form the channel(s) between respective electrically-connected pairs of the contacts. In the embodiment of <FIG>, the pliable insulator supports <NUM> and <NUM> extend such that there is a longitudinal overlap with respect to the extension of the pliable insulator supports <NUM> and <NUM>. The longitudinal overlap of the extension of the pliable insulator supports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> thus form the respective fluid-filled channels between the contact surfaces of the respective pairs of the contacts <NUM> and <NUM> and the contacts <NUM> and <NUM>. the pliable insulator support <NUM> and the pliable insulator support <NUM> are demonstrated as forming a fluid-filled channel, demonstrated generally at <NUM>, that occupies the longitudinal overlap of the extension of the respective pliable insulator supports <NUM> and <NUM>.

The fluid-filled channel <NUM> thus creates a resistive path between the electrically-connected contact pair <NUM> and <NUM> and the electrically-connected contact pair <NUM> and <NUM>. as demonstrated in <FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional diagram <NUM> of the signal connector system <NUM>. Therefore, like reference numbers are used in the example of <FIG> as used in the example of <FIG>.

As described previously, when submerged in the fluid (e.g., water), the self-passivating transition metal contacts <NUM>, <NUM>. <NUM>, and <NUM> develop a dielectric film that acts as a high-capacitance capacitor between the respective contacts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and the associated fluid. In the another embodiment of <FIG>, the high-capacitance capacitors created by the dielectric film are demonstrated by a capacitor CN1 corresponding to the dielectric film associated with the contacts <NUM> and <NUM> and a capacitor CN2 corresponding to the dielectric film associated with the contacts <NUM> and <NUM>. Because the capacitors CN1 and CN2 behave as high-pass filters for the AC signals AC_SIG. the AC signals AC_SIG would be free to conduct between the respective pairs of the contacts <NUM> and <NUM> and the contacts <NUM> and <NUM>. However, by forming the fluid-filled channel <NUM> between the respective pairs of the contacts <NUM> and <NUM> and the contacts <NUM> and <NUM>, the fluid-filled channel <NUM> provides a resistive path between the capacitors CN1 and CN2. with the resistive path being demonstrated in the example of <FIG> as a resistor RCH.

The resistance RCH of the resistive path created by the fluid-filled channel <NUM> has a resistance magnitude that is sufficient for providing signal isolation between the AC signals AC_SIG. and therefore for mitigating cross-talk and/or noise between the separate AC signals AC_SIG. The resistance magnitude of the resistance RCH can be greater than or equal to approximately <NUM>Ω, and can be at least one order of magnitude greater based on the design dimensions of the fluid-filled channel <NUM> and the fluid disposed therein. The design dimensions of the fluid-filled channel <NUM> and the resistivity p of the associated fluid can be determinative of the resistance of the resistive path. Therefore, the dimensions of the fluid-filled channel <NUM> (e.g., length and width) can be designed to provide a predetermined resistance of the resistive path created by the fluid-filled channel <NUM>. Accordingly, based on the inclusion of the fluid-filled channel <NUM> to provide a resistive path between the respective pairs of the contacts <NUM> and <NUM> and the contacts <NUM> and <NUM>, the signal connector system <NUM> can be implemented for propagating AC signals, such as radio frequency (RF) communication signals in environments that cannot typically support AC signal propagation, such as in submerged aquatic or other environments.

While the fluid-filled channel <NUM> is demonstrated in the embodiments of <FIG> and <FIG> as occupying the longitudinal overlap of the extension of the respective pliable insulator supports <NUM> and <NUM>, it is to be understood that the fluid-filled channel <NUM> can be one of a plurality of fluid-filled channels to provide a resistive path between the respective pairs of the contacts <NUM> and <NUM> and the contacts <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, as described in greater detail herein, the connectors <NUM> and <NUM> can also create an inner-ring and/or an outer-ring fluid-filled channel that is substantially circumscribed by or substantially surrounds, respectively, the plurality of contacts <NUM> and <NUM> in response to the connectors <NUM> and <NUM> being fastened together.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of a connector <NUM>. The connector <NUM> can correspond to one of the connectors <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG>. Therefore, reference is to be made to the embodiments of <FIG> in the following description of the embodiment of <FIG>.

The connector <NUM> is demonstrated as an interior rendering of a connector. Therefore, the embodiment of <FIG> does not demonstrate an associated housing that substantially encloses the connector <NUM>. The connector <NUM> includes a plurality of contacts <NUM> formed from a self-passivating transition metal that extend through the connector <NUM>. The contacts <NUM> include a tapered contact surface <NUM>. similar to as demonstrated in the embodiments of <FIG> and <FIG>, at one end and include a set of conductor connection portions <NUM> at an opposite end. The conductor connection portions <NUM> can be coupled to one of the sets of conductors <NUM> and <NUM> in of <FIG>. The connector <NUM> also includes a plurality of pliable insulator supports <NUM> that are each coupled to a respective one of the contacts <NUM>. Thus, the pliable insulator supports <NUM> likewise extend longitudinally through the connector <NUM>, with the contacts <NUM> each being coupled along a longitudinal surface of a respective one of the pliable insulator supports <NUM>. Each of the pliable insulator supports <NUM> can be coupled to the housing (not shown) at at least one portion of the peripheral surface of the respective one of the pliable insulator supports <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the contacts <NUM> and the respective pliable insulator supports <NUM> are arranged in a polar array about a central axis of the connector <NUM>. In <FIG>, the contacts <NUM> and respective pliable insulator supports <NUM> are demonstrated as having a quantity of eight, such that the connector <NUM>, and thus the resulting signal connector system <NUM> can support propagation of eight different AC signals AC_SIG. The connector <NUM> also includes a central hub <NUM> that can provide connection keying for the connector <NUM> to provide a single solution for electrical connectivity of the contacts <NUM> with the contacts of a mating connector. The mating connector can be arranged substantially the same as the connector <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of a signal connector system <NUM>. The signal connector system <NUM> can correspond to the signal connector system <NUM> of <FIG>. and can be arranged based on the fastening of two substantially identical connectors <NUM> of <FIG>. Therefore, reference is to be made to the embodiments of <FIG> in the following description of the embodiment of <FIG>.

The signal connector system <NUM> includes a first connector <NUM> and a second connector <NUM> having been coupled together, such as based on the fastening of respective housing portions. The signal connector system <NUM> is demonstrated as an interior rendering of a signal connector system. Therefore, the embodiment of <FIG> does not demonstrate associated housings that substantially encloses each of the connectors <NUM> and <NUM>, and thus the signal connector system <NUM>. the first connector <NUM> includes contacts <NUM> formed from a self-passivating transition metal and the second connector <NUM> includes contacts <NUM> formed from the self-passivating transition metal. The first connector <NUM> also includes pliable insulator supports <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> also includes pliable insulator supports <NUM>. As described previously, the pliable insulator supports <NUM> and <NUM> can provide a predetermined contact pressure between the contacts <NUM> and <NUM>, such as to provide sufficient pressure to establish electrical connection between the contacts <NUM> and <NUM> without galling.

The contacts <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> are thus demonstrated as being electrically-connected to the contacts <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> at respective tapered contact surfaces, demonstrated generally at <NUM>. Similar to as described previously, the pliable insulator supports <NUM> and <NUM> can cooperate to form channels, demonstrated in the embodiment of <FIG> at <NUM>, between the respective electrically-connected pairs of the contacts <NUM> and <NUM>. Similar to as demonstrated in the embodiments of <FIG> and <FIG>, the pliable insulator supports <NUM> and <NUM> can extend such that there is a longitudinal overlap with respect to the extension of the pliable insulator supports <NUM> and <NUM> to form the respective channels. Therefore, each of the connectors <NUM> and <NUM> can be submerged in a fluid (e.g., water) prior to fastening the connectors <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., via the associated housings) to fill the channels <NUM> with the fluid. Accordingly, the channels <NUM> can provide resistive paths between the electrically-connector pairs of the contacts <NUM> and <NUM>. Additionally, the fastening of the first and second connectors <NUM> and <NUM> can result in additional channels, such as in the ring between the central hubs <NUM> and the respective contacts <NUM> and <NUM> and respective pliable insulator supports <NUM> and <NUM> of each of the connectors <NUM> and <NUM>, or between the respective contacts <NUM> and <NUM> and respective pliable insulator supports <NUM> and <NUM> and the respective housings of each of the connectors <NUM> and <NUM>.

As described previously, the coupling of the contacts <NUM> and <NUM> to provide the electrical connection between the contacts <NUM> and <NUM> can involve a scraping of the dielectric film that forms on the self-passivating transition metal contacts <NUM> and <NUM> when submerged in the fluid. To better achieve such scraping of the dielectric film, such as in an environment or fluid that can facilitate a sedimentary or gritty build-up on the contacts <NUM> and <NUM>, one of the sets of contacts <NUM> and <NUM> can include a projection that extends from the tapered contact surface.

<FIG> illustrates a diagram <NUM> of a contact <NUM> of an embodiment. The contact <NUM> is formed from a self-passivating transition metal. The contact <NUM> is demonstrated in a first view <NUM> and a second view <NUM> orthogonal with the first view <NUM>. as demonstrated in the Cartesian coordinate system. The contact <NUM> is demonstrated as being coupled to a pliable insulator support <NUM>, similar to as described previously. In <FIG>, the contact <NUM> includes a projection <NUM> that extends from the tapered contact surface of the contact <NUM>. The projection <NUM> is demonstrated as occupying less than the area of the tapered contact surface, such as to provide a significantly smaller contact area with a mating tapered contact portion of an associated mating connector. Therefore, when the connector (e.g., one of the connectors <NUM> and <NUM>) is fastened to the mating connector, the projection <NUM> can scrape along the tapered contact surface of the mating contact of the associated mating connector (e.g., that has a flat tapered contact surface) to provide the electrical connection. As a result, the projection <NUM> can more effectively scrape away the dielectric film on the contact <NUM> and the mating contact, as well as to ensure electrical connection despite any sediment and gritty residue that might be interposed between the tapered contact surfaces of the contact <NUM> and the mating contact.

<FIG> each illustrate embodiments of connectors. The embodiment of <FIG> illustrates an embodiment of a connector <NUM> and the embodiment of <FIG> illustrates an embodiment of a connector <NUM>. The connectors <NUM> and <NUM> can each correspond to the respective connectors <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG> or the respective connectors <NUM> and <NUM> in the embodiment of <FIG>. Therefore, reference is to be made to the embodiments of <FIG> in the following description of the embodiments of <FIG>.

The connectors <NUM> and <NUM> are each demonstrated as renderings of connectors. The connectors <NUM> and <NUM> can each correspond to more complete renderings of the connector <NUM> of <FIG>. The connector <NUM> is demonstrated as including an exterior housing <NUM> that substantially surrounds the contacts and pliable insulator supports therein. Similarly, the connector <NUM> is demonstrated as including an exterior housing <NUM> that substantially surrounds the contacts and pliable insulator supports therein. In <FIG>, the housings <NUM> and <NUM> each include a fastener to facilitate fastening the connectors <NUM> and <NUM> together as a mated pair to form a signal connector system (e.g., the signal connector system <NUM> in the embodiment of <FIG>).

In <FIG>, the fastener is demonstrated as a female (e.g., inner) thread pattern <NUM>. and in the <FIG>, the fastener is demonstrated as a male (e.g.. outer) thread pattern <NUM>. Therefore, the connectors <NUM> and <NUM> can be screwed together via the thread patterns <NUM> and <NUM> to provide electrical connection of the respective contacts therein and to form the channels (e.g., between opposing surfaces of respective pliable insulator supports therein). Based on the thread patterns <NUM> and <NUM> and based on the polar array arrangement of the contacts disposed therein, respectively, the fastening of the connectors <NUM> and <NUM> can provide for a substantially uniform contact pressure of the electrical connection of the contacts of the connector <NUM> to the contacts of the connector <NUM>.

While the embodiments of <FIG> demonstrate the fasteners as the thread patterns <NUM> and <NUM>, it is to be understood that the signal connector system <NUM> described herein is not limited to threaded connections for fastening the respective connectors <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the connectors can include a variety of fastener types (e.g., snap-fit) that are designed to provide a joined state of the connectors <NUM> and <NUM>. Additionally, the connectors <NUM> and <NUM> can include any of a variety of geometries of contacts and/or pliable insulator supports. Accordingly, the signal connector system <NUM> is not limited to as described herein.

In view of the foregoing structural and functional features described above, a method according to the invention will be better appreciated with reference to <FIG>. While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the method is shown and described as executing serially, it is to be understood and appreciated that the method is not limited by the illustrated order, as parts of the method could occur in different orders and/or concurrently from that shown and described herein.

Claim 1:
A signal connector system (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a first connector (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a first housing (<NUM>), a first plurality of contacts (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) formed from a self-passivating transition metal, and first pliable insulator supports (<NUM>, <NUM>) that are coupled to a respective one of the first plurality of contacts along a first longitudinal surface of the first pliable insulator supports, each of the first plurality of contacts being configured to conduct an alternating current, AC, signal; and
a second connector (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a second housing (<NUM>), a second plurality of contacts (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) formed from the self-passivating transition metal, and second pliable insulator supports (<NUM>, <NUM>) that are each coupled to a respective one of the second plurality of contacts along a first longitudinal surface of the second pliable insulator supports, each of the second plurality of contacts being configured to electrically couple to a respective one of the first contacts to conduct the AC signal, a second longitudinal surface opposite that of the first longitudinal surface of each of the first pliable insulator supports and the second longitudinal surface of each of the second pliable insulator supports defines at least a portion of at least one fluid-filled channel (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the first and second housings being configured to be coupled to substantially enclose the first and second connectors and to create the at least one fluid-filled channel between each of the electrically-connected first and second contact pairs in response to fastening the first and second connectors while submerged in a respective fluid to provide a resistive path in the at least one fluid-filled channel for providing signal isolation between each of the electrically-connected first and second contact pairs.