Importance

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Abstract

A system of interconnected heating conductors, suitable for preventing freezing of water lines in an aircraft for example, includes a plurality of heater units (1, 12) electrically coupled together by respective coupling plugs (9, 10). Each heater unit comprises one or more heating conductor bands or cables (2, 21, 22), with a respective socket contact plug (9) connected to one end thereof and a respective pin contact plug (10) connected to the other end thereof. Each plug (9, 10) includes a housing (6) wherein the conductors of the heater band (2) are crimp-connected to electrical connectors (7), which include pin contacts (723) in the case of the pin contact plug (10) and socket contacts (77) in the case of the socket contact plug (9). The housing (6) is completely filled with a sealing compound (19) which is injected through a fill hole in the housing wall. The pin contacts (723) extend outwardly through contact chambers into a female cavity (411) of the plug (10), while the socket contacts (77) extend outwardly through contact chambers in a male plug member (412) of the plug (9). The two plugs may be matingly plugged together, and mechanically secured by locking bails (23) engaging retaining catches (24). This achieves a very effective seal against moisture penetration, and eliminates capillary action even when subjected to vibrations, shock, temperature variations, and low pressure conditions.

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First Claim