| Abstract: | A hermetically-sealed edge-connect header that can withstand high
temperatures, high pressures (or high vacuum levels), and high vibration
environments, along with two corresponding connectors are disclosed.
After brazing the edge-connect header components, the assembly is
machined to form a slot with a portion of each of a plurality of
electrical conductors removed in the machining process, resulting in a
header with a high pin density. During the process of mating the first
connector design to the edge-connect header, a plurality of wipers in the
connector deflect, thereby causing the wipers to extend from the
connector and contact the corresponding electrical conductors in the
header. During the process of mating the second connector design to the
edge-connect header, each of a plurality of wipers formed of low-mass,
compliant metal wool, forms multiple contact points with a corresponding
electrical conductor in the header. |