Connector pair consists of two iron cores brought together a short distance from each other. Each core is wound with insulated wire. Ac signal is connected through the pair across the gap by magnetic induction. Device can be used underwater or in flammable atmosphere

Gardner, W. C.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

March 1973	 B73-10125 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Electromagnetic Connector 
.
The problem: 
Electrical connectors are part of every electrical 
household appliance as well as of sophisticated electronic 
equipment. They are made in various sizes and shapes 
and provide a metal path between two or more electrical 
conductors. Metal connections made for electrical and 
electronics equipment are, however, not suitable for 
underwater applications nor in areas that contain ex-
plosive vapors. In the first case, the metal connection 
has to be protected from the water by expensive en-
closures. In the second case, metal-to-metal contact 
may generate sparks during handling and trigger an 
explosion.
Magnetic Core Material 
Of Electrical Steel Or 
Powdered Iron 
Input	 Output 
Terminals	 Terminals 
A	 K 
Insulated 
Coil	
- - ' -1 t elnsul.ted 
 Secondary	 Coil 
Water Or 
Inflammable 
Substance 
The solution: 
An electrical connection utilizing magnetic induction 
can be used underwater and in a flammable atmosphere.
How it's done: 
The electromagnetic connector pair, shown in the 
figure, closely resembles an electrical transformer. It 
contains two iron cores that are brought together to 
a short distance from each other. Each iron core is 
wound with an insulated wire. The primary core, 
corresponding to a transformer primary, is the input; 
the secondary, corresponding to a transformer secondary, 
is the output. 
An ac signal is "connected" through the pair across 
the gap by magnetic induction. Since there is no need 
to mechanically connect the signal circuits, the gap 
between halves can be water or an explosive gas. This. 
system can be either single-phase of multi-phase. 
Note: 
Requests for further information may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center 
Code JM7 
Houston, Texas 77058 
Reference: TSP73-10125 
Patent status: 
NASA has decided not to apply for a patent. 
Source: W. C. Gardner of 
Rockwell International Corp.
under contract to
Johnson Space Center 
(MSC-17420) 
Category 07, 02 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States 	 will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19730000125 2020-03-17T06:44:56+00:00Z


Electromagnetic connector

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