US6168447B1 — Loadbreak connector assembly which prevents switc…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 143 words

A loadbreak bushing insert comprising: an insulative outer housing having an axial bore therethrough, the housing including three sections, a first end section being dimensioned to be sealed in a bushing well, a second end section being dimensioned for insertion into a power cable elbow connector and a mid-section being radially larger than the first and second end sections, and the outer housing having a transition shoulder portion between the second end section and the mid-section; a conductive member positioned within the axial bore of the housing; and an indicator band provided on the transition shoulder portion of the housing, the band being formed of a different colored material than that of the outer housing, the band further including at least one vent for venting an annular top surface of the transition shoulder portion with a longitudinal side surface of the housing mid-section.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 143 words

A loadbreak bushing insert comprising: an insulative outer housing having an axial bore therethrough, the housing including three sections, a first end section being dimensioned to be sealed in a bushing well, a second end section being dimensioned for insertion into a power cable elbow connector and a mid-section being radially larger than the first and second end sections, and the outer housing having a transition shoulder portion between the second end section and the mid-section; a conductive member positioned within the axial bore of the housing; and an indicator band provided on the transition shoulder portion of the housing, the band being formed of a different colored material than that of the outer housing, the band further including at least one vent for venting an annular top surface of the transition shoulder portion with a longitudinal side surface of the housing mid-section.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 27 words

A loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 1 , wherein the at least one vent comprises at least one vent groove formed in the indicator band.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 41 words

A loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 1 , wherein the at least one vent comprises at least one through hole from the annular top surface of the transition shoulder portion to the longitudinal side surface of the housing mid-section.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 25 words

A loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 1 , wherein the at least one vent comprises a circumferential groove formed in the indicator band.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 32 words

A loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 1 , wherein the at least one vent comprises a plurality of raised ribs circumferentially spaced along an outer surface of the indicator band.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 25 words

A loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 1 , wherein the indicator band is positioned in a recess formed on the transition shoulder portion.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 216 words

In combination: a power cable elbow connector including a conductor receiving end and a loadbreak bushing insert receiving end, the elbow connector further including a conductive member extending from the cable receiving end to the bushing insert receiving end, the bushing insert receiving end including an open end portion having an elbow cuff therearound; a loadbreak bushing insert including an insulative outer housing having an axial bore therein and a conductive member positioned within the axial bore, wherein the outer housing includes a power cable elbow insertion end and a mid-section dimensionally radially larger than the power cable elbow insertion end of the outer housing, the outer housing having a transition shoulder portion between the mid-section and elbow insertion end for providing an interference-fit sealing relationship with the elbow cuff upon insertion of the bushing insert into the power cable elbow connector; and an indicator band provided on the transition shoulder portion of the outer housing of the bushing insert, the band being formed of a different colored material than that of the outer housing and including a vent for providing fluid communication between a cavity defined by the elbow cuff and transition shoulder portion of the insert upon disassembly therebetween and a location outside the mating elbow cuff and transition shoulder portion of the insert.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 216 words

In combination: a power cable elbow connector including a conductor receiving end and a loadbreak bushing insert receiving end, the elbow connector further including a conductive member extending from the cable receiving end to the bushing insert receiving end, the bushing insert receiving end including an open end portion having an elbow cuff therearound; a loadbreak bushing insert including an insulative outer housing having an axial bore therein and a conductive member positioned within the axial bore, wherein the outer housing includes a power cable elbow insertion end and a mid-section dimensionally radially larger than the power cable elbow insertion end of the outer housing, the outer housing having a transition shoulder portion between the mid-section and elbow insertion end for providing an interference-fit sealing relationship with the elbow cuff upon insertion of the bushing insert into the power cable elbow connector; and an indicator band provided on the transition shoulder portion of the outer housing of the bushing insert, the band being formed of a different colored material than that of the outer housing and including a vent for providing fluid communication between a cavity defined by the elbow cuff and transition shoulder portion of the insert upon disassembly therebetween and a location outside the mating elbow cuff and transition shoulder portion of the insert.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 49 words

The combination as defined in claim 7 , wherein the indicator band is visually obscured by the elbow cuff of the power cable elbow connector when the insertion end of the loadbreak bushing insert is fully inserted within the bushing insert receiving end of the power cable elbow connector.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 22 words

The combination as defined in claim 7 , wherein the vent comprises at least one vent groove formed in the indicator band.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 38 words

The combination as defined in claim 7 , wherein the vent comprises at least one through hole formed in the indicator band from an annular top surface of the band to a longitudinal side surface of the band.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 20 words

The combination as defined in claim 7 , wherein the vent includes a circumferential groove formed in the indicator band.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 27 words

The combination as defined in claim 7 , wherein the vent comprises a plurality of raised ribs circumferentially spaced along an outer surface of the indicator band.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 151 words

A method for venting a chamber formed between a power cable elbow connector and a loadbreak bushing insert of a loadbreak connector assembly comprising the steps of: providing a loadbreak bushing insert comprising a first end section being dimensioned to be sealed in a bushing well, a second end section being dimensioned for insertion into the power cable elbow connector, a mid-section being radially larger than the first and second end sections and a transition shoulder portion positioned between the second end section and the mid-section; forming a vent in the transition shoulder portion between a top surface of the transition shoulder portion and a longitudinal side surface of the mid-section; disconnecting the power cable elbow and loadbreak bushing insert such that the chamber formed between the power cable elbow connector and the loadbreak bushing insert is vented by the vent to substantially prevent creating a low pressure dielectric air space.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 151 words

A method for venting a chamber formed between a power cable elbow connector and a loadbreak bushing insert of a loadbreak connector assembly comprising the steps of: providing a loadbreak bushing insert comprising a first end section being dimensioned to be sealed in a bushing well, a second end section being dimensioned for insertion into the power cable elbow connector, a mid-section being radially larger than the first and second end sections and a transition shoulder portion positioned between the second end section and the mid-section; forming a vent in the transition shoulder portion between a top surface of the transition shoulder portion and a longitudinal side surface of the mid-section; disconnecting the power cable elbow and loadbreak bushing insert such that the chamber formed between the power cable elbow connector and the loadbreak bushing insert is vented by the vent to substantially prevent creating a low pressure dielectric air space.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method as defined in claim 13 , wherein the vent includes at least one vent groove formed in the transition shoulder portion of the loadbreak bushing insert.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method as defined in claim 13 , wherein the vent includes at least one through hole from the annular top surface to the longitudinal side surface.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method as defined in claim 13 , wherein the vent includes a circumferential groove formed in the transition shoulder portion of the loadbreak bushing insert.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method as defined in claim 13 , wherein the vent includes a plurality of raised ribs circumferentially spaced along the transition shoulder portion of the loadbreak busing insert.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 57 words

The method as defined in claim 13 , further comprising the step of providing an indicator band positioned on the transition shoulder portion, the band being formed of a different colored material than that of the loadbreak bushing insert to provide visual indication of a proper connection between the loadbreak bushing insert and the power cable elbow.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method as defined in claim 18 , further comprising the step of forming a recess in the transition shoulder portion for positioning the indicator band therein.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 40 words

The method as defined in claim 18 , wherein the indicator band is visually obscured by the power cable elbow connector when the second end section of the loadbreak bushing insert is fully inserted within the power cable elbow connector.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method as defined in claim 18 , wherein the vent is formed in the indicator band.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2004-01-02	2004-07-03	2005-01-02	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2008-01-02	2008-07-03	2009-01-02	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2012-01-02	2012-07-03	2013-01-02	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Loadbreak connector assembly which prevents switching flashover

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