US Patent 7074064 Electrical connector useful in wet environments

A multiple contact electrical connector for interconnecting multiple power and/or communication transmission lines is provided. The invention is particularly useful in wet environments. The electrical connector includes male and female connector assemblies. A male pin assembly having a plurality of annular contacts is configured to repeatedly engage and disengage with a female socket assembly having a corresponding plurality of ring contact assemblies. Various exemplary embodiments further include retractable members deployed for sealingly isolating the annular contacts and the ring contact assemblies from fluids exterior to the male and female connector assemblies.