Patent US2723516A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6811418B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical connector with anti-flashover configuration and associated methods
Assignee: ABB Installation Products International LLC
•
Filing: 2003-05-15
•
Granted: 2004-11-02
•
Expires: 2023-05-15
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector may include a connector body having a passageway therethrough with a first end for receiving an electrical bushing insert including a shoulder, and a second end for receiving an electrical conductor. The connector body may have an outer end portion adjacent the first end of the passageway with a flared shape. The outer end portion may be movable to the flared shape upon abutting a shoulder of the electrical bushing insert. The outer end portion may have a radius of curvature so that it progressively curls to the flared shape upon abutting the shoulder of electrical bushing insert. To facilitate the flaring and/or to reduce the vacuum, the outer end portion may have a series of slits therein. The outer end portion may be formed to initially have the flared shape even when spaced from the shoulder of the electrical bushing insert. The connector body may include a first layer adjacent the passageway, a second layer surrounding the first layer, and a third layer surrounding the second layer. At least one of the layers may include a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy E. Jazowski
- 👤 Matthew D. Cawood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:55
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/52; H01R13/5205; H01R13/53; H01R13/502; H01R13/504
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
An electrical connector comprising: a connector body having a passageway therethrough with a first end for receiving an electrical bushing insert, and a second end for receiving an electrical conductor, said connector body comprising a first layer adjacent the passageway and comprising a material having a relatively low resistivity, a second layer surrounding said first layer and comprising a material having a relatively high resistivity, and a third layer surrounding said second layer and comprising a material having a relatively low resistivity, said connector body having an outer end portion adjacent the first end of the passageway with a flared shape, the flared shape defining an inner surface extending to an end of the passageway and being radially spaced apart from an opposing outer surface of a shoulder of the electrical bushing insert.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
An electrical connector comprising: a connector body having a passageway therethrough with a first end for receiving an electrical bushing insert, and a second end for receiving an electrical conductor, said connector body comprising a first layer adjacent the passageway and comprising a material having a relatively low resistivity, a second layer surrounding said first layer and comprising a material having a relatively high resistivity, and a third layer surrounding said second layer and comprising a material having a relatively low resistivity, said connector body having an outer end portion adjacent the first end of the passageway with a flared shape, the flared shape defining an inner surface extending to an end of the passageway and being radially spaced apart from an opposing outer surface of a shoulder of the electrical bushing insert.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein said outer end portion is movable to the flared shape upon abutting a shoulder edge of the electrical bushing insert.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electrical connector according to claim 2 wherein said outer end portion has a radius of curvature so that it progressively curls to the flared shape upon abutting the shoulder edge of the electrical bushing insert.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrical connector according to claim 2 wherein said outer end portion has a series of slits therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein said outer end portion has the flared shape even when spaced from a shoulder edge of the electrical bushing insert.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said first, second and third layers comprises a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein said second layer comprises an insulative TPE material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein each of said first and third layers comprises a semiconductive TPE material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
An electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein the passageway has a medial portion extending between the first and second ends; and wherein said first layer is positioned along the medial portion of the passageway and is spaced inwardly from respective ends thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrical connector according to claim 9 wherein the medial portion of the passageway has a bend therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrical connector according to claim 10 wherein the first end of the passageway has an enlarged diameter to receive the electrical bushing insert therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electrical connector according to claim 10 wherein said first layer comprises at least one outwardly extending rib adjacent the bend of the passageway to reduce electrical stress.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrical connector according to claim 9 wherein said connector body has a tubular shape defining the passageway.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein said first layer has at least one predetermined property to reduce electrical stress thereon.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein said first layer defines an innermost layer; and wherein said third layer defines an outermost layer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrical connector according to claim 1 further comprising at least one pulling eye carried by said connector body.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein said connector body is configured for at least 15 KV and 200 Amp operation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
An electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein each of said first and third layers has a resistivity less than about 10 8 Ω·cm; and wherein said third layer has a resistivity greater than about 10 8 Ω·cm.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
139 words
An electrical connector comprising: a connector body having a passageway therethrough with a first end for receiving an electrical bushing insert, and a second end for receiving an electrical conductor, the passageway also having a bend in a medial portion between the first and second ends, said connector body comprising a first layer adjacent the bend of the passageway, a second layer surrounding said first layer and comprising an insulative thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material, and a third layer surrounding said second layer and comprising a semiconductive TPE material, said connector body having an outer end portion adjacent the first end of the passageway with a flared shape, the flared shape defining an inner surface extending to an end of the passageway and being radially spaced apart from an opposing outer surface of a shoulder of the electrical bushing insert.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
139 words
An electrical connector comprising: a connector body having a passageway therethrough with a first end for receiving an electrical bushing insert, and a second end for receiving an electrical conductor, the passageway also having a bend in a medial portion between the first and second ends, said connector body comprising a first layer adjacent the bend of the passageway, a second layer surrounding said first layer and comprising an insulative thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material, and a third layer surrounding said second layer and comprising a semiconductive TPE material, said connector body having an outer end portion adjacent the first end of the passageway with a flared shape, the flared shape defining an inner surface extending to an end of the passageway and being radially spaced apart from an opposing outer surface of a shoulder of the electrical bushing insert.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electrical connector according to claim 19 wherein said outer end portion is movable to the flared shape upon abutting a shoulder edge of the electrical bushing insert.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electrical connector according to claim 20 wherein said outer end portion has a radius of curvature so that it progressively curls to the flared shape upon abutting the shoulder edge of the electrical bushing insert.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrical connector according to claim 20 wherein said outer end portion has a series of slits therein.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electrical connector according to claim 19 wherein said outer end portion has the flared shape even when spaced from a shoulder edge of the electrical bushing insert.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electrical connector according to claim 19 wherein said first layer comprises a semiconductive TPE material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrical connector according to claim 19 wherein the first end of the passageway has an enlarged diameter to receive the electrical bushing insert therein.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electrical connector according to claim 19 wherein said first layer comprises at least one outwardly extending rib adjacent the bend of the passageway to reduce electrical stress.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrical connector according to claim 19 wherein said first layer has at least one predetermined property to reduce electrical stress thereon.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrical connector according to claim 19 wherein said first layer defines an innermost layer; and wherein said third layer defines an outermost layer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrical connector according to claim 19 further comprising at least one pulling eye carried by said connector body.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrical connector according to claim 19 wherein said connector body is configured for at least 15 KV and 200 Amp operation.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
38 words
An electrical connector according to claim 19 wherein each of said first and third layers has a resistivity less than about 10 8 Ω·cm; and wherein said third layer has a resistivity greater than about 10 8 Ω·cm.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for making an electrical connector body having a passageway therethrough with a first end for receiving an electrical bushing insert, and a second end for receiving an electrical conductor, the method comprising: forming a first layer to define at least a medial portion of the passageway; forming a second layer surrounding the first layer and comprising an insulative material having a relatively high resistivity; forming a third layer surrounding the second layer and comprising a material having a relatively low resistivity; and forming an outer end portion of the connector body adjacent the first end of the passageway to have a flared shape, the flared shape defining an inner surface extending to an end of the passageway and being radially spaced apart from an opposing outer surface of a shoulder of the electrical bushing insert to make the electrical connector body.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for making an electrical connector body having a passageway therethrough with a first end for receiving an electrical bushing insert, and a second end for receiving an electrical conductor, the method comprising: forming a first layer to define at least a medial portion of the passageway; forming a second layer surrounding the first layer and comprising an insulative material having a relatively high resistivity; forming a third layer surrounding the second layer and comprising a material having a relatively low resistivity; and forming an outer end portion of the connector body adjacent the first end of the passageway to have a flared shape, the flared shape defining an inner surface extending to an end of the passageway and being radially spaced apart from an opposing outer surface of a shoulder of the electrical bushing insert to make the electrical connector body.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 32 wherein forming the outer end portion comprises forming the outer end portion to be movable to the flared shape upon abutting a shoulder edge of the electrical bushing insert.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 33 wherein forming the outer end portion comprises forming the outer end portion to have a radius of curvature so that it progressively curls to the flared shape upon abutting the shoulder edge of the electrical bushing insert.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 33 wherein forming the outer end portion comprises forming the outer end portion to have a series of slits therein.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 32 wherein forming the outer end portion comprises forming the outer end portion to have the flared shape even when spaced from a shoulder edge of the electrical bushing insert.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 32 wherein at least one of the first, second and third layers comprises a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for making an electrical connector comprising a connector body having a passageway therethrough with a first end for receiving an electrical bushing insert, and a second end for receiving an electrical conductor, the passageway also having a bend in a medial portion between the first and second ends, the method comprising: forming a first layer adjacent the bend of the passageway; overmolding a second layer surrounding said first layer and comprising an insulative thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material; overmolding a third layer surrounding said second layer and comprising a semiconductive TPE material; and forming the connector body to have an outer end portion adjacent the first end of the passageway with a flared shape, the flared shape defining an inner surface extending to an end of the passageway and being radially spaced apart from an opposing outer surface of a shoulder of the electrical bushing insert.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for making an electrical connector comprising a connector body having a passageway therethrough with a first end for receiving an electrical bushing insert, and a second end for receiving an electrical conductor, the passageway also having a bend in a medial portion between the first and second ends, the method comprising: forming a first layer adjacent the bend of the passageway; overmolding a second layer surrounding said first layer and comprising an insulative thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material; overmolding a third layer surrounding said second layer and comprising a semiconductive TPE material; and forming the connector body to have an outer end portion adjacent the first end of the passageway with a flared shape, the flared shape defining an inner surface extending to an end of the passageway and being radially spaced apart from an opposing outer surface of a shoulder of the electrical bushing insert.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 38 wherein forming the outer end portion comprises forming the outer end portion to be movable to the flared shape upon abutting a shoulder edge of the electrical bushing insert.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 39 wherein forming the outer end portion comprises forming the outer end portion to have a radius of curvature so that it progressively curls to the flared shape upon abutting the shoulder edge of the electrical bushing insert.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 39 wherein forming the outer end portion comprises forming the outer end portion to have a series of slits therein.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 38 wherein forming the outer end portion comprises forming the outer end portion to have the flared shape even when spaced from a shoulder edge of the electrical bushing insert.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3306879A
Cited
US3343153A
Cited
US3390331A
Cited
US3515798A
Cited
US3576493A
Cited
US3723270A
Cited
US3735025A
Cited
US3736505A
Cited
US3933773A
Cited
US3951871A
Cited
US3992567A
Cited
US4053702A
Cited
US4210381A
Cited
US4383131A
Cited
US4222625A
Cited
US4363842A
Cited
US4738318A
Cited
US4629277A
Cited
US4675475A
Cited
US4758171A
Cited
US4847450A
Cited
US4904932A
Cited
US4946393A
Cited
US5080942A
Cited
US5226837A
Cited
US5230640A
Cited
US5492740A
Cited
US5486388A
Cited
US5215475A
Cited
US5697797A
Cited
US5421750A
Cited
US5573410A
Cited
US5641306A
Cited
US5801332A
Cited
US6015629A
Cited
US5804630A
Cited
US6340794B1
Cited
US6124549A
Cited
US5844170A
Cited
US5795180A
Cited
US5857862A
Cited
US5846093A
Cited
US6338637B1
Cited
US6168447B1
Cited
US5957712A
Cited
US6585531B1
Cited
US6106954A
Cited
US6213799B1
Cited
US20020055290A1
Cited
US20020055567A1
Cited
US6419521B2
Cited
US6688921B2
Cited
US20030228779A1
Cited
US20030236023A1
Cited
US20040102091A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-11-02 | 2008-05-03 | 2008-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-11-02 | 2012-05-03 | 2012-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-11-02 | 2016-05-03 | 2016-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |