Rapid Electrical Outfitting For Shipbuilding

The Navy needs new, low cost connector technologies that enhance high voltage cabling, and shipbuilding companies like Northrop Grumman are urgently investigating solutions. Currently, commercially available connectors are too large, too difficult to install and repair, and too expensive. Williams-Pyro, Inc., can meet the electrical outfitting needs of the shipyards and the Navy: a Standardized Quick-connecting Electrical Distribution System (SQUEDS) can help produce new ships efficiently and inexpensively as well as shorten the build time of the Navy’s new ships and the time to repair or refit ships in the fleet. We will design and manufacture SQUEDS electrical connectors that lower shipbuilding costs by pre-attaching to cables and equipment. Williams-Pyro proposes to design, prototype, and validate connectors for three applications: 1) Pre-attaching connectors to power distribution boxes and associated cables, 2) pre-assembling connectors on cables passing between grand blocks—power and signal, 3) Pre-wiring junction boxes and installing panel connectors instead of glands. Our designs will feature low parts count, low cost, ease of assembly, small size, water resistance, corrosion resistance, and low voltage drop or loss. For each application, SQUEDS will maintain commonality and adhere to robust, MIL-qualified standards.