US3649952A — Gas-separable electrical connector and method

Claim 1

Independent Claim 168 words

A separable electrical connector having a pair of connector components adapted to be separated by a pressurized gas, said unit comprising: a first connector component comprising a first contact element and a first insulating housing in surrounding relationship thereto; and a second connector component comprising a second contact element configured for complemental engagement with the first contact element, and a second insulating housing in surrounding relationship to the second contact element, said first and second insulating housings being configured for tight complemental interengAgement when said first and second contact elements are in interengagement, one of said components having passage-defining means extending therethrough and communicating with the other of said components for conveying the pressurized gas, said passage-defining means including a portion of one of said contact elements and a portion of the corresponding insulating housing, the passage presented by said portions communicating with the other of said contact elements whereby the introduction of said gas into the passage causes said components to shift relatively away from each other.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 168 words

A separable electrical connector having a pair of connector components adapted to be separated by a pressurized gas, said unit comprising: a first connector component comprising a first contact element and a first insulating housing in surrounding relationship thereto; and a second connector component comprising a second contact element configured for complemental engagement with the first contact element, and a second insulating housing in surrounding relationship to the second contact element, said first and second insulating housings being configured for tight complemental interengAgement when said first and second contact elements are in interengagement, one of said components having passage-defining means extending therethrough and communicating with the other of said components for conveying the pressurized gas, said passage-defining means including a portion of one of said contact elements and a portion of the corresponding insulating housing, the passage presented by said portions communicating with the other of said contact elements whereby the introduction of said gas into the passage causes said components to shift relatively away from each other.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 57 words

A connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said insulating housing comprises a resiliently expansible material and said passage-defining portion thereof includes a normally closed section which is expandable by the pressurized gas to present an open passage whereby contaminants are precluded from entering the passage when the latter is not occupied by the pressurized gas.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 39 words

A connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said one contact element comprises an elongated annular body, and the other of said contacts comprises a cylindrical body which telescopically receives said elongated annular body in tight frictional engagement.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 107 words

A connector as set forth in claim 3, wherein the other of said housings has a longitudinally extending opening therein, said cylindrical body being slotted at one end and received within said opening with the slotted end spaced longitudinally from the exposed end of the opening, the inner surface of said insulating housing presenting a plurality of flutes in communication with the slots in said cylindrical body and extending longitudinally away from the latter, whereby the gas emanating from said one contact element travels through said slots and along said flutes to surround said one contact element as the latter shifts relative to the other contact element.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 119 words

An elbow connector adapted to be coupled with a complementally configured connector component and separable from the latter by a pressurized gas, the elbow connector comprising: contact means adapted to be coupled with the complementally configured connector component for effecting an electrical connection, said contact means including passage-defining means extending therethrough and communicating with said complementally configured connector component when said contact means is coupled therewith; and an insulating housing in surrounding relationship to said contact means, said housing including passage-defining means extending therethrough and communicating with the passage in said contact means for conveying the pressurized gas whereby the introduction of said gas into the passages causes said contact means to shift relatively away from said connector component.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 119 words

An elbow connector adapted to be coupled with a complementally configured connector component and separable from the latter by a pressurized gas, the elbow connector comprising: contact means adapted to be coupled with the complementally configured connector component for effecting an electrical connection, said contact means including passage-defining means extending therethrough and communicating with said complementally configured connector component when said contact means is coupled therewith; and an insulating housing in surrounding relationship to said contact means, said housing including passage-defining means extending therethrough and communicating with the passage in said contact means for conveying the pressurized gas whereby the introduction of said gas into the passages causes said contact means to shift relatively away from said connector component.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 22 words

An elbow connector as set forth in claim 5, wherein said insulating housing is configured for complemental engagement with said connector component.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 28 words

An elbow connector as set forth in claim 6; and means for coupling said contact means with an electrical cable conductor within the interior of said insulating housing.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 25 words

An elbow connector as set forth in claim 6; and means for coupling the passage-defining means of the housing with a source of pressurized gas.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 132 words

Apparatus for introducing a gas under pressure to the interior of an electrical connector housing having a gas-conveying passage therein to facilitate breaking of the electrical connection, said apparatus comprising: an elongated passage-defining member, said member having an outer portion of insulating material; first means on the member for coupling one end thereof with the connector housing in sealing relationship to the gas-conveying passage; second means on the member for coupling the other end thereof with a source of pressurized gas; and valve means on the member for controlling the flow of gas through the passage in the member and into said connector housing, said passage-defining member comprising a tUbe of insulating material surrounded by a rigid body of a foam resin, said resin being enclosed within a casing of insulating material.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 132 words

Apparatus for introducing a gas under pressure to the interior of an electrical connector housing having a gas-conveying passage therein to facilitate breaking of the electrical connection, said apparatus comprising: an elongated passage-defining member, said member having an outer portion of insulating material; first means on the member for coupling one end thereof with the connector housing in sealing relationship to the gas-conveying passage; second means on the member for coupling the other end thereof with a source of pressurized gas; and valve means on the member for controlling the flow of gas through the passage in the member and into said connector housing, said passage-defining member comprising a tUbe of insulating material surrounded by a rigid body of a foam resin, said resin being enclosed within a casing of insulating material.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 43 words

Apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said first means comprises a receptacle of resilient insulating material configured to surround a portion of the connector housing in tight complemental engagement, and a nipple disposed within the receptacle for penetrating said connector housing.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 15 words

Apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said second means comprise a threaded nipple.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 146 words

A gas-operated electrical connector unit having a pair of connector components adapted to be separated by a pressurized gas, said unit comprising: a first connector component comprising a first contact element and a first insulating housing in surrounding relationship thereto; a second connector component comprising a second contact element configured to complemental engagement with the first contact element, and a second insulating housing in surrounding relationship to the second contact element, one of said components having passage-defining means extending therethrough and communicating with the other of said components; an elongated passage-defining member coupled with the passage of said one component in sealing relationship thereto; and means on the member for coupling the latter with a source of pressurized gas to cause the latter to flow through the passages in said member and said one component to cause said components to shift relatively away from each other.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 146 words

A gas-operated electrical connector unit having a pair of connector components adapted to be separated by a pressurized gas, said unit comprising: a first connector component comprising a first contact element and a first insulating housing in surrounding relationship thereto; a second connector component comprising a second contact element configured to complemental engagement with the first contact element, and a second insulating housing in surrounding relationship to the second contact element, one of said components having passage-defining means extending therethrough and communicating with the other of said components; an elongated passage-defining member coupled with the passage of said one component in sealing relationship thereto; and means on the member for coupling the latter with a source of pressurized gas to cause the latter to flow through the passages in said member and said one component to cause said components to shift relatively away from each other.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 160 words

A gas-operated elbow connector unit adapted to be coupled with a complementally configured connector component and separated from the latter by a pressurized gas, said unit comprising: contact means adapted to be coupled with the complementally configured connector component for effecting an electrical connection, said contact means including passage-defining means extending therethrough and communicating with said complementally configured connector component when said contact means is coupled therewith; an insulating housing in surrounding relationship to said contact means, said housing including passage-defining means extending therethrough and communicating with the passage in said contact means; an elongated passage-defining member coupled with the passage of said insulating housing in sealing relationship thereto; and means on the member for coupling the latter with a source of pressurized gas to cause the latter to flow through the passages in said member, said housing, and said contact element to cause the contact means and the complementally configured connector component to move relatively away from each other.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 160 words

A gas-operated elbow connector unit adapted to be coupled with a complementally configured connector component and separated from the latter by a pressurized gas, said unit comprising: contact means adapted to be coupled with the complementally configured connector component for effecting an electrical connection, said contact means including passage-defining means extending therethrough and communicating with said complementally configured connector component when said contact means is coupled therewith; an insulating housing in surrounding relationship to said contact means, said housing including passage-defining means extending therethrough and communicating with the passage in said contact means; an elongated passage-defining member coupled with the passage of said insulating housing in sealing relationship thereto; and means on the member for coupling the latter with a source of pressurized gas to cause the latter to flow through the passages in said member, said housing, and said contact element to cause the contact means and the complementally configured connector component to move relatively away from each other.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 59 words

A connector unit as set forth in claim 13, wherein said complementally configured connector component includes a protective insulative body having a passage-defining projection of frustoconical cross section extending therefrom, said member including an open-ended receptacle of frustoconical cross section for tight complemental engagement with the frustoconical projection and a nipple disposed within the receptacle for penetrating said projection.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 20 words

A connector unit as set forth in claim 14, wherein said projection and said receptacle each comprises a resilient material.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 21 words

A connector unit as set forth in claim 15, and means for holding said receptacle and said projection in tight interengagement.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 24 words

A connector unit as set forth in claim 16, wherein said holding means comprises complementally threaded portions on said projection and said receptacle respectively.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 29 words

A connector unit as set forth in claim 16, wherein said holding means comprises a threaded insert disposed within said projection and a complementally threaded surface of said nipple.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 34 words

A connector unit as set forth in claim 16, wherein said holding means comprises a plurality of fingers disposed for complemental engagement on the outer surfaces of said receptacle and said connector component respectively.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 81 words

A method of separating an electrical connector comprised of a pair of connector components having complementally configured contact elements normally disposed in interengagement, said method comprising the steps of: introducing a quantity of a pressurized arc-suppressing gas into said connector; directing said gas through one of said components and against the other of said components in a direction to shift said components relatively away from each other; and surrounding the area of contact between said contact elements with said arc-suppressing gas.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 81 words

A method of separating an electrical connector comprised of a pair of connector components having complementally configured contact elements normally disposed in interengagement, said method comprising the steps of: introducing a quantity of a pressurized arc-suppressing gas into said connector; directing said gas through one of said components and against the other of said components in a direction to shift said components relatively away from each other; and surrounding the area of contact between said contact elements with said arc-suppressing gas.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 24 words

A method as set forth in claim 20, wherein said step of introducing a pressurized gas includes introducing an arc-suppressing gas into said connector.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 22 words

A method as set forth in claim 21, wherein said step of introducing an arc-suppressing gas includes introducing SF6 into said connector.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 125 words

A separable electrical connector having a pair of connector components adapted to be separated by an arc-suppressing pressurized gas, said unit comprising: a first connector component comprising a first contact element and a first insulating housing in surrounding relationship thereto; and a second connector component comprising a second contact element configured for complemental engagement with the first contact element, and a second insulating housing in surrounding relationship to the second contact element, one of said components having passage-defining means extending therethrough, communicating with the other of said components and located to convey the pressurized gas to the region of interengagement of said contacts in a direction to cause the introduction of said gas into the passage to shift said components relatively away from each other.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 125 words

A separable electrical connector having a pair of connector components adapted to be separated by an arc-suppressing pressurized gas, said unit comprising: a first connector component comprising a first contact element and a first insulating housing in surrounding relationship thereto; and a second connector component comprising a second contact element configured for complemental engagement with the first contact element, and a second insulating housing in surrounding relationship to the second contact element, one of said components having passage-defining means extending therethrough, communicating with the other of said components and located to convey the pressurized gas to the region of interengagement of said contacts in a direction to cause the introduction of said gas into the passage to shift said components relatively away from each other.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1975-03-14	1975-09-13	1976-03-14	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1979-03-14	1979-09-13	1980-03-14	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1983-03-14	1983-09-13	1984-03-14	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Gas-separable electrical connector and method

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