Importance

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Abstract

A shroud seal having an annular ring portion and an annular lip portion. The annular ring portion is installed on the shroud of an electrical connector such that the annular lip portion is axially compressed on the shroud by a mating shrouded electrical connector. The annular ring portion has a frustoconical inner sealing surface which is sized to be twisted from its original molded frustoconical form to a cylindrical form when installed around the shroud of the electrical connector. This twisting of the shroud seal produces a concentrated hoop stress in the seal at its points of contact with the shroud. The annular ring portion and the lip portion are compliant to allow for large axial tolerance variations between the mating electrical connectors, and provides for low insertion force between the mating electrical connector. In one embodiment, the electrical connector is in the form of a plug having a tubular portion or seal guard for encircling the shroud seal to protect the seal. In other embodiment, the electrical connector is in the form of an inlet having a mounting flange to mount the electrical connector to a wiring enclosure.

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First Claim