Underwater Mateable Connectors

In order for the U.S. Navy to meet future threat requirements its hull-mounted sonars must contain more hydrophones and outboard electronics than ever before. The need to increase target signal levels requires many hydrophones. Large numbers of hydrophones require many hull penetrators. Outboard electronics and signal processing reduces hull penetrator and cabling requirements, however, underwater maintenance and repair must become routine to support such systems. Historically, coffer dams and service loops were utilized to make electrical connections or replace hydrophones. These standard techniques are impractical and costly because of system geometry and location. Underwater mateable connectors will be the key to cost and time effective operational readiness. This unclassified discussion details a Navy device which transforms most open-face, pressure tolerant connectors into reliable underwater mateables with the ease of changing an "o"-ring. The Rubber Isolation Membrane (RIM) was designed to work with MIL-24231 Submarine qualified connectors, but can be readily adapted to commercial designs.