US3958855A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical connector
Assignee: Cooper Industries LLC
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Filing: 1975-03-07
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Granted: 1976-05-25
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Expires: 1995-03-07
Abstract
Abstract An electrical termination for use with a high voltage underground cable system wherein a large degree of arcing may occur between two electrical structures as they are brought together under short circuit conditions to complete a live high voltage circuit. Gas generating material is included as part of at least one of the structures such that gas is produced by the arcing between the structures as they are moved towards each other to form the desired electrical connection. The pressure build up of the gas within the termination acts upon a movable gas actuated means to cause movement thereof when the structures are brought close together under fault conditions. When moved by such a pressure build up, a portion of the gas actuated means transfers the arcing to a position away from the gas generating material to cause the cessation of gas production and thus permits the structures to couple and complete the circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Lloyd Oakes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:27
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/53; H01H; H01H1/00; H01H1/12; H01H1/36; H01H1/38; H01H33/00; H01H33/70; H01H33/76
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
An electrical connector device comprising: an insulating housing means; an elongated first contact means located within said housing and having a contact receiving section at one end thereof accessible through a contact receiving opening in said housing means; an elongated second contact means having at least the external surface of a free end portion thereof of a material which produces a gas when subjected to an electrical arc and an electrically conducting portion axially adjacent said free end portion, said portions of said second contact means being insertable into said contact receiving opening upon relative coaxial movement of said first and second contact means towards each other, electrical shunt means located within said housing means comprising an elongated member axially slidable with respect to said first contact means and having a first segment in gaseous communication with said contact receiving section and a second segment adjacent said one end of said first contact means; said second segment being movable to a location axially outwardly of said one end of said first contact means and being in electrical communication with said first contact means in all relative positions thereof; and said second segment having a configuration to establish non-contacting electrical communication with said electrically conducting portion at said axially outward position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
An electrical connector device comprising: an insulating housing means; an elongated first contact means located within said housing and having a contact receiving section at one end thereof accessible through a contact receiving opening in said housing means; an elongated second contact means having at least the external surface of a free end portion thereof of a material which produces a gas when subjected to an electrical arc and an electrically conducting portion axially adjacent said free end portion, said portions of said second contact means being insertable into said contact receiving opening upon relative coaxial movement of said first and second contact means towards each other, electrical shunt means located within said housing means comprising an elongated member axially slidable with respect to said first contact means and having a first segment in gaseous communication with said contact receiving section and a second segment adjacent said one end of said first contact means; said second segment being movable to a location axially outwardly of said one end of said first contact means and being in electrical communication with said first contact means in all relative positions thereof; and said second segment having a configuration to establish non-contacting electrical communication with said electrically conducting portion at said axially outward position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electrical connector device as specified in claim 1 further characterized in that said first contact means is secured within said housing in a stationary manner.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
An electrical connector device as specified in claim 1 further characterized in that said first contact means has a cantilever spring biased portion securely engaging said second contact means when said second contact means is received in said contact receiving section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An electrical connector device as specified in claim 1 wherein said first contact means is adapted to be rigidly secured to one end of a conductor means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
An electrical connector device as specified in claim 1 further characterized in that said electrical shunt means is movable into non-contacting electrical communication with said electrically conducting portion of said second contact means responsive to pressurized gas evolving from said free end portion of said second contact means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
An electrical connector device as specified in claim 5 further including a variable volume chamber means formed within said housing means, a portion of said chamber being formed by a portion of said first segment of said electrical shunt means, said chamber providing for a pressure build up of gas evolving from said free end portion of said second contact means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
127 words
An electrical bushing comprising: an elongated insulating housing structure having a longitudinally extending passageway therein; a fixed electrical structure including stationary female contact means carried within said passageway; electrical shunt means axially reciprocable within said passageway and in electrical communication with said fixed structure in all relative positions thereof, said shunt means including a piston portion at one end thereof which is cooperable with an enlarged intermediate portion of said passageway to define a variable volume chamber therebetween and having an electrically conductive portion at the other end thereof which is positionable adjacent the opening of said female contact means and is movable to a location axially outwardly spaced from said opening; and means for communicating gas between the interior of said contact means and said chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
127 words
An electrical bushing comprising: an elongated insulating housing structure having a longitudinally extending passageway therein; a fixed electrical structure including stationary female contact means carried within said passageway; electrical shunt means axially reciprocable within said passageway and in electrical communication with said fixed structure in all relative positions thereof, said shunt means including a piston portion at one end thereof which is cooperable with an enlarged intermediate portion of said passageway to define a variable volume chamber therebetween and having an electrically conductive portion at the other end thereof which is positionable adjacent the opening of said female contact means and is movable to a location axially outwardly spaced from said opening; and means for communicating gas between the interior of said contact means and said chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A bushing as specified in claim 7 additionally including biasing means disposed within said housing structure and in communication with said shunt means to bias said conductive portion toward said opening.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of closing an energized electrical circuit between an electrical bushing and an electrical contact matable therewith in which an electrical arc results in the creation of pressurized gas within said bushing during the insertion of said electrical contact, the improvement comprising: discontinuing such gas creation substantially immediately after the creation thereof; and thereafter continuing the insertion of said contact to extinguish said arc and to provide electrical-mechanical engagement between said bushing and said contact.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of closing an energized electrical circuit between an electrical bushing and an electrical contact matable therewith in which an electrical arc results in the creation of pressurized gas within said bushing during the insertion of said electrical contact, the improvement comprising: discontinuing such gas creation substantially immediately after the creation thereof; and thereafter continuing the insertion of said contact to extinguish said arc and to provide electrical-mechanical engagement between said bushing and said contact.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as specified in claim 9 wherein during said discontinuing current passing between said contact and said bushing is through a temporary electrical path in which electrical arcing occurs.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as specified in claim 10 wherein said arcing passes through an air gap.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as specified in claim 9 wherein said pressurized gas is created by said electrical arc passing over a gas producing material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
150 words
An electrical termination comprising: an insulating housing structure; an elongated fixed electrically conductive structure immovably carried within said housing; said fixed structure having a female electrical contact portion having a free end accessible from the exterior of said housing structure through a bore, which contact portion is adapted to electrically and mechanically engage a mating male electrical contact; a movable structure within said housing longitudinally movable with respect to said fixed structure; said movable structure having an electrically conductive portion positioned axially outwardly with respect to said female contact portion in electrical conductive relationship with said fixed structure throughout the extent of the relative longitudinal movement therebetween; and said movable structure having at least one surface area thereon in gaseous communication with said bore and responsive to a gas generated within said bore to move said movable structure outwardly in response to such gas attaining at least a given pressure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
150 words
An electrical termination comprising: an insulating housing structure; an elongated fixed electrically conductive structure immovably carried within said housing; said fixed structure having a female electrical contact portion having a free end accessible from the exterior of said housing structure through a bore, which contact portion is adapted to electrically and mechanically engage a mating male electrical contact; a movable structure within said housing longitudinally movable with respect to said fixed structure; said movable structure having an electrically conductive portion positioned axially outwardly with respect to said female contact portion in electrical conductive relationship with said fixed structure throughout the extent of the relative longitudinal movement therebetween; and said movable structure having at least one surface area thereon in gaseous communication with said bore and responsive to a gas generated within said bore to move said movable structure outwardly in response to such gas attaining at least a given pressure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
An electrical termination as specified in claim 13 wherein: said movable structure defines said bore.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electrical termination as specified in claim 13 wherein: said housing structure comprises an elastomeric member surrounding said fixed structure and a nose bushing secured to said outer end portion of said fixed structure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
An electrical termination as specified in claim 13 wherein: said movable structure comprises a tubular conductive member slidably carried by said fixed structure, and said electrically conductive portion is an arcing ring carried by said tubular member at an outer end portion thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electrical termination as specified in claim 16 wherein: said movable structure additionally comprises a tubular element of arc-responsive gas generating material positioned outwardly of said arcing ring.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrical termination as specified in claim 16 wherein: said at least one surface area is an inward surface of said arcing ring.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electrical termination as specified in claim 13 additionally comprising: biasing means between said fixed structure and said movable structure for biasing said movable structure inwardly.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
An electrical termination as specified in claim 19 wherein: said biasing means comprises a compression spring extending between a shoulder on said fixed structure and at least one flange on said movable structure.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
40 words
An electrical termination as specified in claim 13 wherein: said fixed electrical structure comprises an annular conductive guide cylinder and said electrical contact portion, the end of said contact portion opposite said free end being secured to said guide cylinder.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2809360A
Cited
US3542986A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-05-25 | 1979-11-24 | 1980-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-05-25 | 1983-11-24 | 1984-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-05-25 | 1987-11-24 | 1988-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |