US7351908B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical power cable adaptor and method of use
Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
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Filing: 2006-08-18
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Granted: 2008-04-01
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Expires: 2026-08-18
Abstract
Abstract An adaptor for controlling electrical stress in an electrical power cable includes a longitudinal insulative member and a semi-conductive member in contacting engagement with an end of the insulative member. A portion of the insulative member overlays a portion of the electrical insulation surrounding the electrical conductor, and a portion of the semi-conductive member overlays a portion of the semi-conductive shield.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl J. Wentzel
- 👤 Nga K. Nguyen
- 👤 William L. Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 08:20
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01B; H01B9/00; H02; H02G; H02G15/00; H02G15/02; H01B7/00; H01B7/02; H02G15/04; H02G15/08; H02G15/18; H02G15/182; H02G15/1826; H02G15/1833; H02G15/184
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
An apparatus for controlling electrical stress in an electrical power cable of the type including an electrical conductor, a conductor shield surrounding the electrical conductor, an electrical insulation having a thickness reduced from industry standard thickness covering the conductor shield, and a semi-conductive shield surrounding a portion of the electrical insulation, the apparatus comprising: an electrical adaptor which includes: a longitudinal insulative member having permittivity less than 8; and a semi-conductive member in contacting engagement with an end of the insulative member; wherein a portion of the insulative member is configured to overlay a portion of the electrical insulation surrounding the electrical conductor, and wherein a portion of the semi-conductive member is configured to overlay a portion of the semi-conductive shield, and wherein the insulative member and semi-conductive members are elastically recoverable.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
132 words
An apparatus for controlling electrical stress in an electrical power cable of the type including an electrical conductor, a conductor shield surrounding the electrical conductor, an electrical insulation having a thickness reduced from industry standard thickness covering the conductor shield, and a semi-conductive shield surrounding a portion of the electrical insulation, the apparatus comprising: an electrical adaptor which includes: a longitudinal insulative member having permittivity less than 8; and a semi-conductive member in contacting engagement with an end of the insulative member; wherein a portion of the insulative member is configured to overlay a portion of the electrical insulation surrounding the electrical conductor, and wherein a portion of the semi-conductive member is configured to overlay a portion of the semi-conductive shield, and wherein the insulative member and semi-conductive members are elastically recoverable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the semi-conductive member comprises a semi-conductive silicone rubber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising a supporting core, wherein the insulative member and the semi-conductive member are disposed in a radially stretched condition on the supporting core.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the semi-conductive member overlays the end of the insulative member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the semi-conductive member abuts the end of the insulative member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the semi-conductive member is configured to extend across a cut end of the cable semi-conductive shield.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the insulative member has a thickness sufficient to provide, in combination with the electrical insulation of the cable, a total effective insulation thickness that is at least as thick as a standard insulation thickness for a particular voltage class in the electrical utilities industry.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the insulative member has a thickness sufficient to provide, in combination with the electrical insulation of the cable, a total effective insulation thickness of at least about 650 mils.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the insulative member and the semi-conductive member are overmolded to form a unitary member.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
156 words
A system for an electrical power cable of the type including an electrical conductor, a conductor shield surrounding the electrical conductor, an electrical insulation having a thickness reduced from industry standard thickness covering the conductor shield, and a semi-conductive shield over a portion of the electrical insulation, the system comprising: a cable accessory configured for installation on a cable having at least a first insulation thickness; and an adaptor configured for installation on a cable having a second insulation thickness, the second insulation thickness being less than the first insulation thickness, the adaptor comprising: a longitudinal insulative member having permittivity less than 8; and a semi-conductive member in contacting engagement with an end of the insulative member; wherein a portion of the insulative member is configured to overlay a portion of the electrical insulation surrounding the electrical conductor, and wherein a portion of the semi-conductive member is configured to overlay a portion of the semi-conductive shield.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
156 words
A system for an electrical power cable of the type including an electrical conductor, a conductor shield surrounding the electrical conductor, an electrical insulation having a thickness reduced from industry standard thickness covering the conductor shield, and a semi-conductive shield over a portion of the electrical insulation, the system comprising: a cable accessory configured for installation on a cable having at least a first insulation thickness; and an adaptor configured for installation on a cable having a second insulation thickness, the second insulation thickness being less than the first insulation thickness, the adaptor comprising: a longitudinal insulative member having permittivity less than 8; and a semi-conductive member in contacting engagement with an end of the insulative member; wherein a portion of the insulative member is configured to overlay a portion of the electrical insulation surrounding the electrical conductor, and wherein a portion of the semi-conductive member is configured to overlay a portion of the semi-conductive shield.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein a thickness of the insulative member and the second insulation thickness, when combined, provide a total insulation thickness that reduces electrical stress to a level the cable and cable accessory can withstand.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 11 , further comprising a semi-conductive member configured to extend between and contact the insulative member and the cable shield.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein the semi-conductive member comprises a semi-conductive silicone rubber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the cable accessory is disposed on a radially stretched condition on a first supporting core, and wherein the adaptor is disposed in a radially stretched condition on a second supporting core.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein the cable accessory is configured for installation on a cable having an insulation thickness of at least about 650 mil.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of reducing electrical stress in an electrical power cable accessory, the method comprising: preparing an electrical power cable of the type including an electrical conductor, a conductor shield surrounding the electrical conductor, an electrical insulation layer having a thickness reduced from industry standard thickness covering the conductor shield, and a semi-conductive insulation shield over the insulation layer by removing a predetermined length of the semi-conductive insulation shield to expose a portion of the cable insulation layer and removing a lesser predetermined length of the exposed portion of the cable insulation layer and conductor shield to expose the electrical conductor; installing an adaptor over the prepared cable including an insulative member having permittivity less than 8 and a semi-conductive member to increase a total effective insulation thickness of the prepared cable; and installing a cable accessory over the adaptor.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of reducing electrical stress in an electrical power cable accessory, the method comprising: preparing an electrical power cable of the type including an electrical conductor, a conductor shield surrounding the electrical conductor, an electrical insulation layer having a thickness reduced from industry standard thickness covering the conductor shield, and a semi-conductive insulation shield over the insulation layer by removing a predetermined length of the semi-conductive insulation shield to expose a portion of the cable insulation layer and removing a lesser predetermined length of the exposed portion of the cable insulation layer and conductor shield to expose the electrical conductor; installing an adaptor over the prepared cable including an insulative member having permittivity less than 8 and a semi-conductive member to increase a total effective insulation thickness of the prepared cable; and installing a cable accessory over the adaptor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein installing an adaptor over the prepared cable to increase a total effective insulation thickness of the prepared cable comprises: disposing an insulative member on the exposed portion of the cable insulation; and disposing a semi-conductive member in contact with the insulative member and the cable semi-conductive insulation shield.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the exposed portion of the cable insulation has a thickness less than a minimum thickness, and wherein disposing an insulative member on the exposed portion of the cable insulation increases the total effective insulation thickness to at least a minimum thickness, and further wherein installing a cable accessory over the adaptor comprises installing a cable accessory configured for use with at least the minimum thickness.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein installing the adaptor and installing the cable accessory comprise radially shrinking the adaptor and radially shrinking the cable accessory, respectively.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein radially shrinking the adaptor and radially shrinking the cable accessory include removing supporting cores from the adaptor and the cable accessory, respectively.
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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) | 2011-04-01 | 2011-10-01 | 2012-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2015-04-01 | 2015-10-01 | 2016-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2019-04-01 | 2019-10-01 | 2020-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |