Patent ID: 7618198

Claim:
A harsh environment connector, comprising: a first connector unit having a first outer housing, a first contact chamber within the outer housing having a forward end opening, and a first contact assembly within the contact chamber, a second connector unit having a second outer housing, a second contact chamber within the outer housing having a forward end opening, and a second contact assembly within the contact chamber; the connector units being movable from an unmated condition into a mated condition in which the connector units are in mating engagement and the contact assemblies are in communication, the forward end openings of the contact chambers being aligned and together forming a passageway between the contact chambers as the units are connected together; a first stopper assembly in the first connector unit having a first stopper which closes the first opening in the unmated condition and a second stopper assembly in the second connector unit having a second stopper which closes the second opening in the unmated condition, the first stopper assembly being movable between an extended position in the unmated condition and a retracted position in the mated condition in which the first stopper is urged back through the forward end opening into the first contact chamber by the second stopper into a position in which both stoppers are spaced from the passageway to allow communication between the contact chambers; first and second seal members in the first and second openings, respectively, each seal member providing a seal around the respective stopper in the unmated condition of the connector units; and at least one of the seal members sealing the passageway between the chambers as the units are moved into mating engagement.