Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6641422
-
Patent Number
6,641,422
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, December 6, 200023 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, November 4, 200320 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 439 278
- 439 281
- 439 732
- 439 280
- 439 230
- 439 220
- 439 336
- 439 356
- 439 602
- 439 611
- 439 613
- 439 615
- 439 6992
- 439 282
- 439 350
- 439 558
- 439 559
- 313 49
- 313 51
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A high intensity discharge lamp (HID) (200) includes an electrically powered lamp (200) having a lamp exterior (220) and at least one lead (226) extending outside of the lamp. An electrical interface (202) includes a male connector (204) fastened at its base (302) to one of the leads (226), an insulate housing (206) having an inner contour (402) shaped to fittedly encompass therein the male connector and at least a portion of the lead, and a cement contact (208) that fastens the housing to the lamp exterior without air gaps. A boot (212) hermetically seals the insulate housing. A female connector (210) is mated to the male connector within the boot, and a feed line (501) having an insulating cover (502) is electrically connected at one end to the female connector and to a power source at the other end.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed generally to a method and apparatus for providing high intensity light and, more particularly, to a high intensity discharge lamp and a method of interconnecting a high intensity discharge lamp.
2. Description of the Background
A high intensity discharge (HID) system is a lighting system which throws an intense light therefrom. High intensity discharge systems are generally used in commercial and military aircraft applications.
A conventional high intensity discharge lamp is illustrated in FIG.
1
. The high intensity discharge lighting system generally includes a lamp
10
. The lamp
10
is preferably hermetically sealed, and may include two electrodes
12
within the hermetically sealed cavity
14
. An HID lighting system preferably uses a high voltage to strike an arc between the electrode
12
, thus providing a bright light from the lamp. The electrodes
12
, or other light source, is preferably connected to and supported within the lamp
10
by a support tree
18
.
The current used to provide the light to the HID lamp light source
12
flows from a power source exterior to the lamp
10
, and generally enters the lamp
10
via two small interconnects
20
, preferably of copper, at the back of the lamp
10
. The two interconnects
20
at the back of the lamp
10
have generally constituted an exposed un-insulated surface at the back of the lamp
10
to which the power source leads
22
are connected, such as by screwing the power source to mated threads on the exposed interconnect
20
.
Unfortunately, HID lamps currently in use do not always provide a secure connection between the power supply source leads
22
and the interconnects
20
, and, additionally, do not always provide insulation adequate to enclose the connection between the power source leads
22
and the interconnects
20
. When the interconnects and power supply are not securely connected, such as by aircraft maintenance personnel, or when the connection between the interconnects and the leads is not adequately insulated, arcing can occur due to the high voltage in use in HID aircraft application. This arcing problem can be exacerbated by the high altitudes at which HID lamps are required to perform.
Arcing problems on an aircraft may lead to devastating consequences. Arcing can start fires, and, because HID lamps are often in use in areas of an aircraft where fuel or fuel vapors are present, such as on the wings, fires caused by arcing can lead to explosions or serious malfunctions on the aircraft. Such explosions and malfunctions can lead to the destruction of an aircraft and, consequently, a loss of life. Additionally, arcing can negatively effect the performance of nearby equipment on the aircraft, and cause power outages to vital systems, as well as overloads to vital systems.
Furthermore, the present manner of interconnecting the power source to the HID interconnects, such as by screwing or welding, is cumbersome and difficult for aircraft personnel. The difficulty encountered in this interconnection can lead to the connection not being made properly or completely. This lack of a proper or complete connection can lead to arcing problems. Additionally, the difficulty in properly connecting the power source and the interconnects can lead to difficulty in the replacement or substitution of HID lamps, or the avoidance of such replacements by aircraft personnel, when such replacements would be otherwise necessary.
Thus, there currently exists a need for an HID lamp, an HID lamp interconnect, and a method of making an HID lamp, that will prevent arcing difficulties on aircraft, as well as simplify the replacement of, and substitution of, HID lamps.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a high intensity discharge lamp. The high intensity discharge lamp of the present invention includes an electrically powered lamp having a lamp exterior and at least one lead extending outside of the lamp, a male connector that is fastened at its base to one of the leads of the lamp, an insulate housing having an inner contour shaped to fittedly encompass therein the male connector and at least a portion of the lead of the arc lamp, and a cement contact that fastens, without air gaps, the housing to the lamp exterior. The lamp may additionally include a boot that hermetically locks over the insulate housing, a female connector mated to the male connector within the boot, and a feed line electrically connected to the female connector on one end and to a power source at the other end.
Furthermore, the present invention includes an electrical interface for use with an electrically powered lamp having a lamp exterior and at least one lead extending outside of the lamp. The electrical interface includes a male connector that is fastened at its base to one of the leads of the lamp, an insulate housing having an inner contour shaped to fittedly encompass therein the male connector and at least a portion of the lead of the arc lamp, and a cement contact that fastens, without air gaps, the housing to the lamp exterior.
The present invention also includes a method of interconnecting a high intensity discharge lamp. The method includes providing an electrically powered lamp having a lamp exterior and at least one lead extending outside of the lamp, fastening a male connector, at a base of the male connector, to one of the leads of the lamp, sliding an insulate housing fittedly over the male connector and at least a portion of the lead of the lamp, and hermetically fastening the insulate housing to the lamp exterior. The method of the present invention may additionally include detachably hermetically locking a boot over the insulate housing, wherein the boot includes therein a female connector mated to the male connector, mating the female connector to the male connector, electrically connecting a feed line to the female connector, which feed line passes electrical current, and permanently hermetically sealing the feed line to the boot.
The present invention solves problems experienced with the prior art because it prevents arcing difficulties on aircraft, particularly at above 25 kV operating voltage for a high intensity discharge lamp, and above 25,000 feet altitude for aircraft, as well as simplifying the replacement of, and substitution of, HID lamps. Those and other advantages and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the invention hereinbelow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
For the present invention to be clearly understood and readily practiced, the present invention will be described in conjunction with the following figures, wherein:
FIG. 1
is a schematic diagram illustrating a high intensity discharge lamp;
FIGS. 2A and 2B
are schematic diagrams illustrating a high intensity discharge lamp having an electrical interface connected thereto;
FIGS. 3A and 3B
are schematic diagrams illustrating a male connector;
FIG. 4
is a schematic diagram illustrating an insulate housing;
FIG. 5
is a schematic diagram illustrating a female connector for use in the electrical interface;
FIG. 6
is a schematic diagram illustrating a boot for use in the electrical interface; and
FIG. 7
is a flow diagram illustrating a method of interconnecting a high intensity discharge lamp.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, many other elements found in a typical high voltage system and method. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other elements are desirable and/or required in order to implement the present invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein. Additionally, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that, although the present invention is described hereinbelow with respect to a lighting system, the present invention may be implemented using any high voltage device having exposed electrical leads.
FIG. 2A
is a schematic diagram illustrating a high intensity discharge lamp
200
developed in accordance with the present invention and having an electrical
202
connected thereto. The electrical interface
202
, as shown in detail
2
B, includes a male connector
204
, an insulate housing
206
, and at least one cement contact
208
. Tn a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one electrical interface
202
is connected to each of the two electrical leads
226
extending through the back of the lamp
200
, which leads are, for example, electrical current carrying, such as copper, components that are heated and pressed into the glass of the lamp
200
, thereby creating a hermetic seal. Additionally, the electrical interface
202
preferably includes a female connector
210
(see
FIGS. 6A and 6B
) within a boot
212
, which female connector
210
electrically contacts the male connector
204
.
The HID lamp
200
preferably is an electrical arc lamp, but may be any high voltage lamp or device. The HID lamp
200
includes a lamp exterior
220
, and hermetically sealed within the lamp exterior
220
are two electrodes. A portion
224
of the lamp exterior
220
is preferably transparent or frosted, to allow light generated at the electrodes to pass to the outside environment from the lamp exterior
220
. The two electrodes each have a lead
226
connected thereto. The leads
226
pass through the lamp exterior
220
, and are hermetically sealed as the leads
226
pass therethrough. The leads
226
extend outward into the outside environment from the point at which the leads
226
pass through the lamp exterior
220
.
FIGS. 3A and 3B
are schematic diagrams illustrating the male connector
204
of FIG.
2
A. The male connector
204
is of the type known in the art, such as a metallic extension, stud, or pin, and may be of any metallic or alloyed substance capable of withstanding high current passing therethrough. The male connector
204
has a base
302
at the point of contact with the lamp exterior
220
, and extends to an end
304
at the point of the male connector
204
opposite the lamp exterior
220
. The male connector
204
is fastened to at least one of the leads
226
of the lamp
200
, and extends outwardly from the exterior
220
of the lamp
200
. Thus, the male connector preferably includes a placement opening
310
, into which the leads
226
may be placed. In a preferred embodiment, one male connector
204
is connected to each lead
226
of the lamp
200
.
The fastening of the male connector
204
to the lead
226
must form an electrical bond that allows current to pass to/from the male connector
204
from/to the lead
226
. For example, the at least one lead
226
may include first screw threads
326
thereon, and the first screw threads
326
are then preferably mated to second screw threads
322
on the base of said male connector
204
. The male connector
204
is then fastened to the lead
226
by an interlocking of the first screw threads
326
and the second screw threads
322
. In a second preferred embodiment, the male connector
204
is fastened to the lead
226
by a weld, such as a spot weld. In an additional preferred embodiment, the male connector
204
may be fastened to the lead
226
by a solder capable of operating under the operating conditions of an HID
200
. In each preferred embodiment, the fastening of the male connector
204
to the lead
226
provides a hermetic seal therebetween.
FIG. 4
is a schematic diagram illustrating the insulate housing
206
of FIG.
2
. The insulate housing
206
is an insulator to prevent arcing at the connection point of the male connector
204
to a female connector
210
, and at the connection point of the male connector
204
to the lead
226
. Thus, the male connector
204
is preferably sealed hermetically within the insulate housing
206
, by sealing methods apparent to those skilled in the art.
In a preferred embodiment, the insulate housing
206
extends outwardly from the lamp exterior
220
a second distance, and the second distance is greater than the first distance by which the male connector
204
extends outwardly from the lamp exterior
220
. The insulate housing
206
has an inner contour
402
along its inner surface where the inner contour
402
is shaped to fittedly encompass therein the male connector
204
and at least a portion of the lead
226
of the lamp
200
.
Further, the inner contour
402
is preferably shaped to provide a snug fit for a female connector
210
to be placed with the insulate housing
206
to mate with the male connector
204
. The insulate housing
206
has an outer contour
404
, and at least the portion
406
of the outer contour
404
that is immediately proximate to the lamp exterior
220
is shaped to contour to the lamp exterior
220
immediately surrounding the lead
226
to which the male connector
204
is fastened.
In addition, the outer contour
404
is preferably shaped to include an air-tight integral locking groove
410
for locking with the interior surface of a boot
212
, as discussed hereinbelow, and this integral locking groove
410
may be at an end of the housing
206
opposite the lamp exterior
220
. In a preferred embodiment, the insulate housing
206
is formed of ceramic, and may be formed of additional materials capable of withstanding high current flow, and the heat that corresponds thereto, such as glass or plastics.
Returning now to
FIG. 2
, the at least one cement contact
208
fastens, without any air gaps, the outer contour
404
of the insulate housing
206
immediately proximate to the lamp exterior
220
. The at least one cement contact
208
is a type of cement capable of operating under the conditions of the present application, and is capable of bonding the insulate housing
206
to the glass of the lamp exterior
220
. The contact
208
may be, for example, a rubber cement that seals upon placement.
The cement contact
208
may be placed after the male connector
204
is fastened, or, in an embodiment wherein the male connector
204
and insulate housing
206
are pre-fabricated, the cement contact
208
may be integrally placed on the outer contour
404
of the insulate housing
206
, and may seal as it is contacted with the lamp exterior
220
, such as when the male connector
204
is seated, such as by screwing to the lead
226
. The cement contact
208
may then be unsealed when the male connector
204
is unscrewed, for example, for ease of part replacements. In a second preferred embodiment, the cement contact
208
may be permanent upon placement.
In a preferred embodiment, the cement contact
208
is rated to prevent arcing of at least 20 kV passing through the lead
226
from/to the male connector
204
base. Additionally, the cement contact
208
is rated to prevent arcing at high altitudes, such as at least 25,000 feet. In a more preferred embodiment, the cement contact
208
is rated to prevent arcing of at least 25 kV at an altitude of at least 40,000 feet, and, in a most preferred embodiment, the cement contact
208
is rated to prevent arcing of at least 30 kV at an altitude of at least 50,000 feet.
FIG. 5
is a schematic diagram illustrating a female connector
210
for use in the electrical interface
202
of FIG.
2
.
FIG. 6
is a schematic diagram illustrating a boot
212
for use in the electrical interface
202
of
FIG. 2
with the female connector
210
of FIG.
5
.
Referring to
FIGS. 5 and 6
, the boot
212
is preferably formed of silicon rubber, although other materials known to those skilled in the art may be used, subject to the condition that those other materials are preferably elastic, and must be capable of properly insulating in high voltage applications. The boot
212
has an inner boot contour
602
and an outer boot contour
604
. The inner boot contour
602
detachably locks over the outer contour
404
of the insulate housing
206
, which outer contour
404
of the insulate housing
206
may include an integral locking groove
410
, as discussed hereinabove.
The boot
212
has two ends
610
,
612
, and each end
610
,
612
includes an opening
620
,
622
passing therethrough. The opening
620
of one of the boot ends
610
preferably integrally includes an elastic lip
630
along the inner boot contour
602
, which elastic lip
630
creates a hermetic lock by sealing over the integral locking groove
410
on the outer contour
404
of the insulate housing
206
opposite the lamp exterior
220
. The elastic lip
630
is preferably formed of silicon rubber.
The female connector
210
is mounted within the boot
212
and between the two openings of the boot
212
. The female connector
210
is mated to the male connector
204
. A feed line
501
is electrically connected to the female connector
210
through an insulating covering
502
, and serves to pass electrical current therethrough. A metal structure
504
, preferably having two open ends, is provided within the insulating covering
502
, and the female connector
210
is crimped and/or soldered into the metal structure
504
on one open end of the metal structure. The feed line
501
is crimped and/or soldered at the other open end of the metal structure
504
, and the feed line
501
is electrically connected, through the metal structure
504
, to the female connector
210
. The metal structure
504
is preferably mounted within the insulation covering
502
, centered within the insulation covering
502
, and having a center axis passing between the two open ends of the metal structure
504
approximately parallel to the tangential axis along the exterior of the insulation covering
502
. Thus, the feed line
501
, insulation covering
502
containing the metal structure
504
, and the female connector
210
form a wire assembly.
The feed line
501
, insulation covering
502
containing the metal structure
504
, and the female connector
210
are permanently hermetically sealed
640
to the boot
212
, by, for example, injection molding of the silicon boot
212
around the feed line
501
, insulation covering
502
containing the metal structure
504
, and the female connector
210
, and this wire assembly extends from one end
612
of the boot
212
and passes through the inner boot contour
602
. The female connector
210
extends to the end
610
of the boot
212
opposite the end
612
from which the feed line
502
extends, and passes through the inner boot contour. The permanent hermetic seal
640
of the boot
212
to the feed line
502
may be formed, for example, through the injection molding, or by a vulcanization. In the preferred embodiment, both the feed line
502
and the boot
212
are formed of silicon rubber, and the hermetic seal
640
between the feed line
502
and the boot
212
is a silicon rubber to silicon rubber bond that requires no adhesive.
The electrical interface
202
of the present invention allows the HID lamp
200
to be activated at high altitudes, such as at 55,000 feet, without arcing. Further, the electrical interface
202
of the present invention, due to the provision of after-lamp-production installation of the male connector
204
and housing
206
, and due to the ease of detachment of the boot
212
, and security of attachment provided by the boot
212
, provides improved substitution and replacement of HID lamps.
FIG. 7
is a flow diagram illustrating a method
700
of interconnecting a high intensity discharge lamp
200
. The method includes the step
702
of providing an electrically powered lamp
200
having a lamp exterior
220
and at least one lead
226
extending outside of the lamp
200
, the step
704
of fastening a male connector
204
, at a base of the male connector
204
, to one of the at least one leads
226
of the lamp
200
, the step
706
of sliding an insulate housing
206
fittedly over the male connector
204
and at least a portion of the lead
226
of the lamp
200
, and the step
708
of hermetically fastening the insulate housing
206
to the lamp exterior
220
.
The method
700
may additionally include the step
714
of detachably hermetically locking a boot
212
over the insulate housing
206
, wherein the boot
212
includes therein a female connector
210
mated to the male connector
204
, the step
716
of mating the female connector
210
to the male connector
204
by the detachable hermetically locking
714
, the step
718
of electrically connecting a feed line to the female connector, which feed line passes electrical current, and/or the step
722
of permanently hermetically sealing the feed line to the boot
212
.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many modifications and variations of the present invention may be implemented. For example, the electrical connector set forth herein is applicable to different types of high voltage connection applications, and not just to HID lamps. The foregoing description and the following claims are intended to cover all such modifications and variations.
Claims
- 1. An electrical interface for use with an electrically powered lamp having a lamp exterior and at least one lead extending outside of the lamp exterior, said interface comprising:a male connector having a base, said male connector being fastened at said base, said at least one lead extending outside of the lamp exterior to extend said male connector outwardly from the lamp exterior; and an insulate housing having an inner contour and an outer contour, said inner contour of said insulate housing being shaped to fittedly encompass said extended male connector and the fastened at least one lead extending outside of the lamp exterior, and at least a portion of the outer contour being shaped to contour to the lamp exterior immediately surrounding the at least one lead to form a cement contact, without air gaps, to the lamp exterior.
- 2. The electrical interface of claim 1, wherein said insulate housing extends outwardly from the lamp exterior a second distance greater than a first distance extended by said male connector outwardly from the lamp exterior.
- 3. The electrical interface of claim 1, wherein the at least one lead includes a plurality of first screw threads, said first screw threads being mated to a plurality of second screw threads at the base of said male connector, and said male connector being fastened to the at least one lead by interlocking the first screw threads and the second screw threads.
- 4. The electrical interface of claim 1, wherein said male connector is fastened to the lead by an electrical bond.
- 5. The electrical interface of claim 1, wherein said male connector is fastened to the lead by a solder.
- 6. The electrical interface of claim 1, wherein said insulate housing is a ceramic.
- 7. The electrical interface of claim 1, wherein said insulate housing is a glass.
- 8. The electrical interface of claim 1, wherein the base of said male connector is sealed from air gaps within said insulate housing.
- 9. The electrical interface of claim 1, wherein said insulate housing includes an integral lock at an end of the outer contour opposite the lamp exterior.
- 10. The electrical interface of claim 1, wherein said formed cement contact being rated to prevent arcing when electrical potential is applied to the electrical interface of at least 20 kV.
- 11. The electrical interface of claim 1, wherein said male connector is fastened to the lead by a weld.
- 12. The electrical interface of claim 11, wherein the weld is a spot weld.
- 13. The electrical interface of claim 1, wherein said formed cement contact being rated to prevent arcing when electrical potential is applied to the electrical interface at at least 25,000 feet.
- 14. The electrical interface of claim 13, wherein said formed cement contact being rated to prevent arcing when electrical potential is applied to the electrical interface of at least 25 KV.
- 15. The electrical interface of claim 14, wherein said formed cement contact being rated to prevent arcing when electrical potential is applied to the electrical interface at at least 40,000 feet.
- 16. The electrical interface of claim 15, wherein said formed cement contact being rated to prevent arcing when electrical potential is applied to the electrical interface of 30 kV at 55,000 feet.
- 17. The electrical interface of claim 1, further comprising a boot having an inner boot contour and an outer boot contour, wherein the inner boot contour detachably hermetically locks over the outer contour of said insulate housing.
- 18. The electrical interface of claim 17, wherein the boot comprises silicon rubber.
- 19. The electrical interface of claim 17, wherein said boot has two ends, and wherein each end includes an opening, and wherein the opening of one end includes an elastic lip on the inner boot contour, and said elastic lip creates the hermetic lock by sealing into a groove on the outer contour of said insulate housing opposite the lamp exterior.
- 20. The electrical interface of claim 19, wherein the elastic lip comprises silicon rubber.
- 21. The electrical interface of claim 17, further comprising:a female connector mated to said male connector; and a feed line electrically connected to said female connector, and said feed line passes electrical current.
- 22. The electrical interface of claim 21, wherein said feed line is permanently and hermetically sealed to said boot, and wherein said feed line extends from one end of said boot and passes through the inner boot contour, and wherein said female connector extends to the opposite end of said boot and passes through the inner boot contour.
- 23. The electrical interface of claim 22, wherein the permanent hermetic seal of said boot to said feed line comprises a vulcanization.
- 24. An electrical interface for use with an electrically powered lamp, said lamp having a lamp exterior and at least one lead extending outside of the lamp exterior, said interface comprising:a male connector having a base, said male connector being fastened at said base to said at least one lead extending outside of the lamp exterior to extend said male connector outwardly from the lamp exterior; means for insulating said male connector, said insulating means being shaped to fittedly encompass said positioned male connector and the fastened at least one lead of the lamp, and said insulating means being contoured to the lamp exterior immediately surrounding the at least one lead; and means for securely fastening, without air gaps, said insulating means to the lamp exterior.
- 25. A high intensity discharge lamp, comprising:an electrically, powered lamp having a lamp exterior and at least one lead extending outside of the lamp; a male connector having a base, said male connector being fastened at said base to said at least one lead extending outside of the lamp exterior to extend said male connector outwardly from the lamp exterior; an insulate housing having an inner contour and an outer contour, said inner contour of said insulate housing being shaped to fittedly encompass said extending male connector and the fastened at least one lead extending outside of the lamp exterior, and at least a portion of the outer contour being shaped to contour to the lamp exterior immediately surrounding the at least one lead to form a cemented contact, without air gaps, to the lamp exterior.
- 26. The high intensity discharge lamp of claim 25, wherein the at least one lead includes a plurality of first screw threads, which first screw threads are mated to a plurality of second screw threads at the base of said male connector, and wherein said male connector is fastened to the lead by an interlocking of the first screw threads and the second screw threads.
- 27. The high intensity discharge lamp of claim 25, wherein said insulate housing is a ceramic.
- 28. The high intensity discharge lamp of claim 25, wherein said insulate housing is a glass.
- 29. The high intensity discharge lamp of claim 25, wherein said cement contact is rated to prevent arcing of at least 20 kV at at least 25,000 feet.
- 30. The high intensity discharge lamp of claim 25, further comprising a boot having an inner boot contour and an outer boot contour, wherein the inner boot contour detachably hermetically locks over the outer contour of said insulate housing.
- 31. The high intensity discharge lamp of claim 30, wherein the boot comprises silicon rubber.
- 32. The high intensity discharge lamp of claim 30, further comprising:a female connector mated to said male connector; and a feed line electrically connected to said female connector, which feed line passes electrical current.
- 33. The high intensity discharge lamp of claim 32, wherein said feed line is permanently and hermetically sealed to said boot, and wherein said feed line extends from one end of said boot and passes through the inner boot contour, and wherein said female connector extends to the opposite end of said boot and passes through the inner boot contour.
- 34. A method of interconnecting a high intensity discharge lamp, comprising the steps of:providing an electrically powered lamp, said lamp having a lamp exterior; extending outside of the lamp exterior at least one lead of said lamp; fastening a male connector with a base to the at least one lead extending outside of the lamp exterior; sliding an insulate housing fittedly over the male connector, said insulate housing having an inner contour and an outer contour; shaping said inner contour of said insulate housing to fittedly encompass said male connector and the fastened at least one lead extending outside of the lamp exterior; and hermetically fastening the insulate housing to the lamp exterior without air gaps.
- 35. The method of claim 34, wherein said step of fastening the male connector to the at least one lead comprises the step of:screwing the male connector onto the at least one lead.
- 36. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of:detachably hermetically locking a boot over the insulate housing, wherein the boot includes therein a female connector for mating to the male connector; mating the female connector to the male connector by said detachable hermetically locking; and electrically connecting a feed line to the female connector, wherein said feed line passes electrical current.
- 37. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of:permanently hermetically sealing the feed line to the boot.
- 38. An electrical interface for use in high voltage applications, comprising:an electrical device having a device exterior; at least one lead connected to said electrical device extending outside of the device exterior; a male connector having a base, said male connector being fastened at said base to said at least one lead extending outside of the device exterior to extend said male connector outwardly from of said device; and an insulate housing having an inner contour and an outer contour, said inner contour of said insulate housing being shaped to fittedly encompass said extended male connector and the fastened at least one lead of the electric device extending outside of the device exterior, and at least a portion of the outer contour being shaped to contour to the device exterior immediately surrounding the at least one lead to form a cement contact, without air gaps, to the device exterior.
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DE |
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DE |
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JP |
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