US3721745A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pothead construction and method of terminating a power cable therewith
Assignee: Esco Manufacturing Co
•
Filing: 1971-06-16
•
Granted: 1973-03-20
•
Expires: 1991-06-16
Abstract
Abstract A pothead device for termination of a power cable which is factory assembled, filled with dielectric insulating material and sealed to prevent contamination of and leakage of the dielectric material. A metallic cone-shaped stress relief device mounted in the terminator and electrically connected to the cable by means of a seal at the cable entrance portion of the pothead. This seal has a triangular shaped cross section of conducting rubber material which is mounted in the pothead so that it can be deformed or contracted by a gland nut. The seal is provided with an inwardly extending lip portion which has an enlarged cross section adjacent the inner periphery thereof. A removable plug which is displaced by the insertion of the cable is provided to seal the opening formed by this lip portion to prevent leakage of dielectric material from the pothead before the cable is inserted.
Inventors
- 👤 A Parks
- 👤 B Darnell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:45
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G15/00; H02G15/20; H02G15/22; H02G15/30; H02G15/32; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S277/00; Y10S277/917
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
Cable termination apparatus for terminating and receiving an elongated power cable of the type have an exposed electrically conductive portion on one end thereof, said apparatus comprising: a. a housing defining an elongated chamber for receiving said power cable, said housing having connection means disposed at one end thereof for electrical connection with the exposed conductive portion of said cable, said housing further having an opening disposed at an end opposite from said one end for allowing the insertion of said power cable into said chamber, b. fluid-like insulating material within said chamber, and c. sealing means at said opening for preventing leakage, loss, or contamination of said insulating material through said opening before, during, and after the insertion of said power cable into said chamber, said sealing means comprising: i. a sealing surface circumferentially defined by, and extending into, said opening, said sealing surface defining a generally centrally disposed defined aperture, and ii. plug means removably disposed within said defined aperture and sealing said aperture prior to the insertion of said power cable into said chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
Cable termination apparatus for terminating and receiving an elongated power cable of the type have an exposed electrically conductive portion on one end thereof, said apparatus comprising: a. a housing defining an elongated chamber for receiving said power cable, said housing having connection means disposed at one end thereof for electrical connection with the exposed conductive portion of said cable, said housing further having an opening disposed at an end opposite from said one end for allowing the insertion of said power cable into said chamber, b. fluid-like insulating material within said chamber, and c. sealing means at said opening for preventing leakage, loss, or contamination of said insulating material through said opening before, during, and after the insertion of said power cable into said chamber, said sealing means comprising: i. a sealing surface circumferentially defined by, and extending into, said opening, said sealing surface defining a generally centrally disposed defined aperture, and ii. plug means removably disposed within said defined aperture and sealing said aperture prior to the insertion of said power cable into said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said sealing surface is constructed from conducting material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said sealing means comprises an annular sealing surface and clamping means for deforming said sealing surface to alter the internal diameter thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
111 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said sealing surface defines an annular seal, said annular seal having a body portion with a triangular shaped cross section, the internal surface of said annular seal forming a first cable contacting and sealing surface, said first sealing surface defining a first opening of a diameter larger than the external diameter of said cable, and a lip portion extending radially inward from said body portion, the inner surface of said lip forming a second sealing surface and defining said aperture having a diameter which is less than the external diameter of said cable, said lip having an enlarged thickness at said second sealing surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said annular seal is made of conductive material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said plug means has means attached thereto to restrict migration of said plug means in said chamber.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
210 words
A method of terminating a power cable which consists of the steps of preparing the terminal end of the power cable for insertion in a factory assembled terminator device which is pre-filled with fluid dielectric insulating compound and which is sealed within the device, inserting the prepared end of the cable within the device by displacing a seal plug from an opening provided in a diaphragm of elastomeric material located at the entrance end of the device, and continuing the insertion of the cable end so that the same passes through said opening provided in said diaphragm, said opening having a diameter smaller than that of the connector attached to the terminal end of the cable whereby the diaphragm maintains a running seal with the exterior of the connector and the cable during insertion, allowing the excess compound to discharge from the device through an opening provided for the purpose, continuing the insertion of the cable until the end of the same makes electrical contact with a mating connector located in the device opposite the entrance end, closing and sealing the discharge opening to retain the remainder of the dielectric compound within the terminator device and deforming an annular seal to contract and seal on the exterior of said cable.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
210 words
A method of terminating a power cable which consists of the steps of preparing the terminal end of the power cable for insertion in a factory assembled terminator device which is pre-filled with fluid dielectric insulating compound and which is sealed within the device, inserting the prepared end of the cable within the device by displacing a seal plug from an opening provided in a diaphragm of elastomeric material located at the entrance end of the device, and continuing the insertion of the cable end so that the same passes through said opening provided in said diaphragm, said opening having a diameter smaller than that of the connector attached to the terminal end of the cable whereby the diaphragm maintains a running seal with the exterior of the connector and the cable during insertion, allowing the excess compound to discharge from the device through an opening provided for the purpose, continuing the insertion of the cable until the end of the same makes electrical contact with a mating connector located in the device opposite the entrance end, closing and sealing the discharge opening to retain the remainder of the dielectric compound within the terminator device and deforming an annular seal to contract and seal on the exterior of said cable.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
209 words
A device for connection to a shielded electric cable having a central conductor, a concentrically disposed insulator and an outer conducting jacket, which comprises: a housing defining an elongated chamber, said housing having a circular opening at one end thereof for allowing insertion of the end of said cable into said housing; connector means mounted within said chamber for electrical connection to said cable conductor; fluid dielectric insulating material in said chamber; a metallic hollow fructrum shaped stress relief member mounted adjacent said one end, said stress relief member so positioned to surround said cable when said cable is inserted through said opening; and sealing means for preventing leakage, loss and contamination of said dielectric material from said opening before, during and after said cable is inserted into said housing, and for conducting electric charge from the outer conducting jacket to said stress relief member when said cable is inserted through said opening to reduce electrical stress concentration, said sealing means comprising: i. a sealing surface circumferentially defined by, and extending into, said opening, said sealing surface defining a generally centrally disposed defined aperture, and ii. plug means removably disposed within said defined aperture and sealing said aperture prior to the insertion of said power cable into said chamber.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
209 words
A device for connection to a shielded electric cable having a central conductor, a concentrically disposed insulator and an outer conducting jacket, which comprises: a housing defining an elongated chamber, said housing having a circular opening at one end thereof for allowing insertion of the end of said cable into said housing; connector means mounted within said chamber for electrical connection to said cable conductor; fluid dielectric insulating material in said chamber; a metallic hollow fructrum shaped stress relief member mounted adjacent said one end, said stress relief member so positioned to surround said cable when said cable is inserted through said opening; and sealing means for preventing leakage, loss and contamination of said dielectric material from said opening before, during and after said cable is inserted into said housing, and for conducting electric charge from the outer conducting jacket to said stress relief member when said cable is inserted through said opening to reduce electrical stress concentration, said sealing means comprising: i. a sealing surface circumferentially defined by, and extending into, said opening, said sealing surface defining a generally centrally disposed defined aperture, and ii. plug means removably disposed within said defined aperture and sealing said aperture prior to the insertion of said power cable into said chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as defined in claim 8 wherein said sealing means comprises a sealing member which is constructed from conducting material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as defined in claim 8 wherein said sealing means comprises an annular seal member and clamping means for deforming said seal member to alter the internal diameter of said seal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
108 words
A device as defined in claim 8 wherein said sealing means comprises an annular seal, said annular seal having a body portion with a triangular shaped cross section, the internal surface of said seal forming a first cable contacting and sealing surface, said first sealing surface defining a first circular opening of a diameter larger than the external diameter of said cable, and a lip portion extending radially inward from said body portion, the inner surface of said lip forming a second sealing surface of a diameter which is less than the external diameter of said cable, said lip having an enlarged thickness at said second sealing surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as defined in claim 11 wherein said annular seal is made of conducting material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as defined in claim 11 wherein said plug means removably seals said second sealing surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as defined in claim 13, wherein said plug means is attached to said stress relief member to prevent migration of said Plug means into said connector means.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
72 words
A device for use in sealing the opening in a cable termination device comprising: an annular seal constructed from resilient conductive material having an annular shaped body portion, a first internal cylindrical sealing surface on said seal, and a lip portion extending radially inward from said first cylindrical sealing surface to define a second annular sealing surface on said lip, said lip having an enlarged thickness at said second cylindrical sealing surface.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
72 words
A device for use in sealing the opening in a cable termination device comprising: an annular seal constructed from resilient conductive material having an annular shaped body portion, a first internal cylindrical sealing surface on said seal, and a lip portion extending radially inward from said first cylindrical sealing surface to define a second annular sealing surface on said lip, said lip having an enlarged thickness at said second cylindrical sealing surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as defined in claim 15 wherein said sealing means additionally comprises a plug means for removably sealing with said second annular sealing surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as defined in claim 16 wherein said plug has a circular cross section and has a reduced diameter portion adjacent the axial center of said plug.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device as defined in claim 15 wherein said body portion has an isosceles triangular shaped cross section, the base of said triangular cross section being parallel to the axis of said seal and forming said first cylindrical sealing surface.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
211 words
A device for connection to a shielded electric cable having a central conductor and a concentrically disposed insulator, which comprises: a housing defining a chamber, said housing having a circular opening at one end thereof for allowing insertion of the end of said cable into said housing; connection means mounted within said chamber adjacent said other end of said housing for electrical connection to said cable; fluid dielectric insulating material in said chamber; first annular seal means for preventing leakage, loss and contamination of said dielectric material before and during insertion of said cable through said opening; and second annular seal means with a central cable port axially positioned in said opening for surrounding the circumference of said cable when said cable is inserted through said opening and deformable between a first relaxed shape wherein said cable port is of a size to allow the axial insertion of said cable through said port and a second deformed shape wherein said cable port is reduced in diameter and said second seal is compressed against the exterior of said cable for preventing leakage, loss and contamination of said cable through said opening, and plug means removably disposed within said cable port for sealing said port prior to the said insertion of said cable.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
211 words
A device for connection to a shielded electric cable having a central conductor and a concentrically disposed insulator, which comprises: a housing defining a chamber, said housing having a circular opening at one end thereof for allowing insertion of the end of said cable into said housing; connection means mounted within said chamber adjacent said other end of said housing for electrical connection to said cable; fluid dielectric insulating material in said chamber; first annular seal means for preventing leakage, loss and contamination of said dielectric material before and during insertion of said cable through said opening; and second annular seal means with a central cable port axially positioned in said opening for surrounding the circumference of said cable when said cable is inserted through said opening and deformable between a first relaxed shape wherein said cable port is of a size to allow the axial insertion of said cable through said port and a second deformed shape wherein said cable port is reduced in diameter and said second seal is compressed against the exterior of said cable for preventing leakage, loss and contamination of said cable through said opening, and plug means removably disposed within said cable port for sealing said port prior to the said insertion of said cable.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as defined in claim 19 wherein said second seal means comprises an annular seal member and clamping means for deforming said seal member to alter the internal diameter of said seal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
107 words
A device as defined in claim 19 wherein said second annular sealing means has a body portion with a triangular shaped cross section, the internal surface of said seal forming a first cable contacting and sealing surface, said first sealing surface defining said cable port or a diameter larger than the external diameter of said cable, and said first sealing means comprising a lip portion extending radially inward from said body portion, the inner surface of said lip forming a second sealing surface of a diameter which is less than the external diameter of said cable, said lip having an enlarged thickness adjacent said second sealing surface.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as defined in claim 21 wherein said plug means removably seals said second sealing surface.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
243 words
A device for connection to a shielded electric cable having a central conductor and a concentrically disposed insulator, which comprises: a housing defining a chamber, said housing having a circular opening at one end thereof for allowing insertion of the end of said cable into said housing; connection means mounted within said chamber adjacent said other end of said housing for electrical connection to said cable; fluid dielectric insulating material in said chamber; metallic hollow stress relief member mounted adjacent said one end, said stress relief member so positioned to surround said cable when said cable is inserted through said opening; first annular seal means for preventing leakage, loss and contamination of said dielectric material before and during insertion of said cable through said opening; and second annular seal means with a central cable port axially positioned in said opening for surrounding the circumference of said cable when said cable is inserted through said opening and deformable between a first relaxed shape wherein said cable port is of a size to allow the axial insertion of said cable through said port and a second deformed shape wherein said cable port is reduced in diameter and said second seal is compressed against the exterior of said cable for preventing leakage, loss and contamination of said dielectric material through said opening after insertion of said cable through said opening, and for conducting electric charges from the exterior of said cable to said stress relief member.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
243 words
A device for connection to a shielded electric cable having a central conductor and a concentrically disposed insulator, which comprises: a housing defining a chamber, said housing having a circular opening at one end thereof for allowing insertion of the end of said cable into said housing; connection means mounted within said chamber adjacent said other end of said housing for electrical connection to said cable; fluid dielectric insulating material in said chamber; metallic hollow stress relief member mounted adjacent said one end, said stress relief member so positioned to surround said cable when said cable is inserted through said opening; first annular seal means for preventing leakage, loss and contamination of said dielectric material before and during insertion of said cable through said opening; and second annular seal means with a central cable port axially positioned in said opening for surrounding the circumference of said cable when said cable is inserted through said opening and deformable between a first relaxed shape wherein said cable port is of a size to allow the axial insertion of said cable through said port and a second deformed shape wherein said cable port is reduced in diameter and said second seal is compressed against the exterior of said cable for preventing leakage, loss and contamination of said dielectric material through said opening after insertion of said cable through said opening, and for conducting electric charges from the exterior of said cable to said stress relief member.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as defined in claim 23 wherein said second seal means comprises an annular seal member and clamping means for deforming said seal member to alter the internal diameter of said seal.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
107 words
A device as defined in claim 23 wherein said second annular sealing means has a body portion with a triangular shaped cross section, the internal surface of said seal forming a first cable contacting and sealing surface, said first sealing surface defining said cable port or a diameter larger than the external diameter of said cable, and said first sealing means comprising a lip portion extending radially inward from said body portion, the inner surface of said lip forming a second sealing surface of a diameter which is less than the external diameter of said cable, said lip having an enlarged thickness adjacent said second sealing surface.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as defined in claim 25 wherein said first sealing means additionally comprises a plug means for removably sealing said second sealing surface.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
239 words
In combination: a shielded electric cable having a central conductor and a concentrically disposed insulator; first connector means electrically connected to the conductor at one end of said cable; and cable terminator means comprising a housing defining a chamber, said housing having an opening at one end corresponding in shape to the cross section of said cable, second connector means mounted within said chamber removably receiving and electrically connecting with said first connector means, fluid dielectric insulating material in said chamber, and sealing means for preventing leakage, loss and contamination of said dielectric material through said opening before said first connector and said end of said cable is inserted through said opening, for providing a sliding seal on said first connector and said one end of said cable to prevent leakage, loss and contamination of said dielectric material during the insertion of said first connector and said one end of said cable through said opening, and for preventing leakage, loss and contamination of said dielectric material after said cable and said first connector means are inserted through said opening to electrically connect said first and second connector means, said sealing means comprising: i. a sealing surface circumferentially defined by, and extending into, said opening, said sealing surface defining a generally centrally disposed defined aperture, and ii. plug means removably disposed within said defined aperture and sealing said aperture prior to the insertion of said power cable into said chamber.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
239 words
In combination: a shielded electric cable having a central conductor and a concentrically disposed insulator; first connector means electrically connected to the conductor at one end of said cable; and cable terminator means comprising a housing defining a chamber, said housing having an opening at one end corresponding in shape to the cross section of said cable, second connector means mounted within said chamber removably receiving and electrically connecting with said first connector means, fluid dielectric insulating material in said chamber, and sealing means for preventing leakage, loss and contamination of said dielectric material through said opening before said first connector and said end of said cable is inserted through said opening, for providing a sliding seal on said first connector and said one end of said cable to prevent leakage, loss and contamination of said dielectric material during the insertion of said first connector and said one end of said cable through said opening, and for preventing leakage, loss and contamination of said dielectric material after said cable and said first connector means are inserted through said opening to electrically connect said first and second connector means, said sealing means comprising: i. a sealing surface circumferentially defined by, and extending into, said opening, said sealing surface defining a generally centrally disposed defined aperture, and ii. plug means removably disposed within said defined aperture and sealing said aperture prior to the insertion of said power cable into said chamber.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination as defined in claim 27 wherein said sealing means comprises a sealing member which is constructed from conducting material.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination as defined in claim 27 wherein said sealing means comprises an annular seal member and clamping means for deforming said seal member to alter the internal diameter of said seal.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
108 words
The combination as defined in claim 27 wherein said sealing means comprises an annular seal, said annular seal having a body portion with a triangular shaped cross section, the internal surface of said seal forming a first cable contacting and sealing surface, said first sealing surface defining a first circular opening of a diameter larger than the external diameter of said cable, and a lip portion extending radially inward from said body portion, the inner surface of said lip forming a second sealing surface of a diameter which is less than the external diameter of said cable, said lip having an enlarged thickness at said second sealing surface.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination as defined in claim 30 wherein said annular seal is made of conductive material.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination as defined in claim 30 wherein said plug means removably seals said second sealing surface.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination as defined in claim 32 wherein said plug means has means attached thereto to prevent migration of said plug means into said second connector means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
221 words
In combination: a shielded electric electric cable having a central conductor and a concentrically disposed insulator; first connector means electrically connected to the conductor of one end of said cable; cable terminator means comprising a housing defining a chamber, said housing having an opening at one end corresponding in shape to the cross section of said cable, second connector means mounted within said chamber removably receiving and electrically connecting with said first connector means, fluid dielectric insulating in said chamber, a metallic hollow frustum shaped stress relief member mounted adjacent said one end, said stress relief member being located to surround said cable when said cable is inserted through said opening; and seal means for preventing leakage, loss and contamination of said dielectric material from said opening before, during and after said cable is inserted into said housing and for providing an electric connection between the exterior of the insulator and said stress relief member when said cable is inserted through said opening so that electrical stress concentration is reduced, said sealing means comprising: i. a sealing surface circumferentially defined by, and extending into, said opening, said sealing surface defining a generally centrally disposed defined aperture, and ii. plug means removably disposed within said defined aperture and sealing said aperture prior to the insertion of said power cable into said chamber.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
221 words
In combination: a shielded electric electric cable having a central conductor and a concentrically disposed insulator; first connector means electrically connected to the conductor of one end of said cable; cable terminator means comprising a housing defining a chamber, said housing having an opening at one end corresponding in shape to the cross section of said cable, second connector means mounted within said chamber removably receiving and electrically connecting with said first connector means, fluid dielectric insulating in said chamber, a metallic hollow frustum shaped stress relief member mounted adjacent said one end, said stress relief member being located to surround said cable when said cable is inserted through said opening; and seal means for preventing leakage, loss and contamination of said dielectric material from said opening before, during and after said cable is inserted into said housing and for providing an electric connection between the exterior of the insulator and said stress relief member when said cable is inserted through said opening so that electrical stress concentration is reduced, said sealing means comprising: i. a sealing surface circumferentially defined by, and extending into, said opening, said sealing surface defining a generally centrally disposed defined aperture, and ii. plug means removably disposed within said defined aperture and sealing said aperture prior to the insertion of said power cable into said chamber.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination as defined in claim 34 wherein said sealing means comprises a sealing member which is constructed from conducting material.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination as defined in claim 34 wherein said sealing means comprises an annular seal member and clamping means for deforming said seal member to alter the internal diameter of said seal.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
108 words
The combination as defined in claim 34 wherein said sealing means comprises an annular seal, said annular seal having a body portion with a triangular shaped cross section, the internal surface of said seal forming a first cable contacting and sealing surface, said first sealing surface defining a first circular opening of a diameter larger than the external diameter of said cable, and a lip portion extending radially inward from said body portion, the inner surface of said lip forming a second sealing surface of a diameter which is less than the external diameter of said cable, said lip having an enlarged thickness at said second sealing surface.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination as defined in claim 37 wherein said annular seal is made of conducting material.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination as defined in claim 37 wherein said plug means removably seals said second sealing surface.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination as defined in claim 37, wherein said plug means is attached to said stress relief member to prevent migration of said plug means into said second connector means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-19 | 1976-09-18 | 1977-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-19 | 1980-09-18 | 1981-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-19 | 1984-09-18 | 1985-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |