US7059879B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical connector having a piston-contact element
Assignee: Hubbell Inc
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Filing: 2004-05-20
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Granted: 2006-06-13
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Expires: 2024-05-20
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector, such as a bushing insert, includes a housing with an inner bore, opposite ends. One end has an opening providing access to the inner bore. A piston-contact element is movable between first and second axially spaced positions within the inner bore. During fault closure or short circuit conditions, the piston-contact element accelerates connection with a male contact of an electrical connector, such as a cable connector, thereby inhibiting the formation of flashover or electrical arc.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Krause
- 👤 Tiebin Zhao
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 19:44
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/53; H01R29/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/4902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
An electrical connector, comprising: a housing including an inner bore and an open end providing access to said inner bore, said inner bore having an inner surface and a bore retaining groove disposed in said inner surface; a piston-contact element slidably received in said inner bore of said housing though said open end, said piston-contact element being axially movable between retracted and advanced positions and having an outer surface with an element retaining groove disposed in said outer surface; and a resilient member received in each of said retaining grooves releasably retaining said piston-contact element in one of said retracted and advanced positions within said inner bore of said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
An electrical connector, comprising: a housing including an inner bore and an open end providing access to said inner bore, said inner bore having an inner surface and a bore retaining groove disposed in said inner surface; a piston-contact element slidably received in said inner bore of said housing though said open end, said piston-contact element being axially movable between retracted and advanced positions and having an outer surface with an element retaining groove disposed in said outer surface; and a resilient member received in each of said retaining grooves releasably retaining said piston-contact element in one of said retracted and advanced positions within said inner bore of said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
An electrical connector according to claim 1 , wherein said piston-contact element is in said retracted position when said resilient member is received in said element retaining grooves; and said piston-contact element is in said advanced position when said resilient member is received in said bore retaining groove and spaced from said element retaining groove.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
An electrical connector according to claim 1 , wherein said piston-contact element includes opposing first and second ends; said first end is adapted to engage another electrical connector; and said second end includes a stop substantially preventing removal of contact member from said inner bore of said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electrical comiector according to claim 3 , wherein said stop comprises an annular shoulder abutting said resilient member in the other of said retracted and advanced positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electrical connector according to claim 3 , wherein said first end of said piston-contact element includes probe fingers; and said second end is a piston.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrical connector according to claim 5 , wherein said probe fingers and said piston-contact element together form a unitary, one-piece member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrical connector according to claim 1 , wherein said retaining grooves are each substantially annular and continuous.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
An electrical connector according to claim 1 , wherein said bore retaining groove includes first and second side walls and an end wall extending therebetween; and an angled wall extends from said second side wall facilitating engagement of said resilient member in said bore retaining groove.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
An electrical connector according to claim 1 , wherein said element retaining groove includes first and second side walls and an end wall extending therebetween, said second side wall being angled with respect to said first side wall facilitating disengagement of said resilient member from said element retaining groove.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrical connector according to claim 1 , wherein said resilient member is a substantially ring shaped spring.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrical connector according to claim 10 , wherein said resilient member includes a slot allowing expansion and compression of said resilient member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
An electrical connector according to claim 1 , wherein an electrical contact of another electrical connector is received in said inner bore of said housing through said open end engaging said piston-contact element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
An electrical connector according to claim 1 , wherein said housing includes an inner conductive sleeve; and said bore retaining groove is disposed in said conductive sleeve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electrical connector according to claim 1 , wherein said electrical connector is a high-voltage bushing insert.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
An electrical connector according to claim 2 , wherein said resilient member is received in both said element and bore retaining grooves when said piston-contact element is in said retracted position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
130 words
A high-voltage bushing insert for mating with a cable connector, comprising: a housing including an inner bore and an open end providing access to said inner bore, said inner bore having an inner surface and a bore retaining groove disposed in said inner surface; a piston-contact element slidably received in said inner bore of said housing though said open end and having an outer surface with an element retaining groove disposed in said outer surface; and a resilient member received in each of said retaining grooves releasably retaining said piston-contact element in one of a retracted and advanced positions within said inner bore of said housing, said piston-contact element being in said retracted position during normal operation and being moved to said advanced position by gases generated during fault conditions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
130 words
A high-voltage bushing insert for mating with a cable connector, comprising: a housing including an inner bore and an open end providing access to said inner bore, said inner bore having an inner surface and a bore retaining groove disposed in said inner surface; a piston-contact element slidably received in said inner bore of said housing though said open end and having an outer surface with an element retaining groove disposed in said outer surface; and a resilient member received in each of said retaining grooves releasably retaining said piston-contact element in one of a retracted and advanced positions within said inner bore of said housing, said piston-contact element being in said retracted position during normal operation and being moved to said advanced position by gases generated during fault conditions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
56 words
A high-voltage bushing insert according to claim 16 , wherein said piston-contact element is in said retracted position when said resilient member is received in said element retaining groove; and said piston-contact element is in said advanced position when said resilient member is received in said bore retaining groove and spaced from said element retaining groove.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
A high-voltage bushing insert according to claim 17 , wherein said resilient member is received in both said element and bore retaining grooves when said piston-contact element is in said retracted position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
A high-voltage bushing insert according to claim 17 , wherein an annular shoulder extending outwardly from said outer surface of said piston-contact element engages said resilient member in said advanced position to substantially prevent removal of said piston-contact element from said inner bore of said housing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
A high-voltage bushing insert according to claim 16 , wherein a snuffer tube disposed within said piston-contact element generates said gases during fault conditions.
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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) | 2009-06-12 | 2009-12-12 | 2010-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-06-12 | 2013-12-12 | 2014-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-06-12 | 2017-12-12 | 2018-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |