Patent ID: 7861579

Claim:
A connector assembly for a turbofan engine testing facility, the connector assembly comprising: an engine-side connector structurally attached to the gas turbine engine, having a functional interface comprising a plurality of engine-side connections functionally connected to equipment associated with the operation and testing of the engine; and a mating test-side connector associated with the testing facility comprising a plurality of corresponding test-side connections; the engine-side connector and the test-side connector having cooperating guiding mechanism configured to structurally co-operate and restricting relative motion between the engine-side connector and the test-side connector along an engagement axis while establishing alignment of the engine-side connections with the test-side connections as the engine-side connector and the test-side connector are brought together for connection; and the engine-side connector and the test-side connector having a cooperating locking mechanism to releasably lock the engine-side connector to the test-side connector along the engagement axis.