The present invention relates to electrical cable connectors, such as connectors for joining two or more electrical cables, loadbreak connectors, and deadbreak connectors. More particularly, aspects described herein relate to an electrical cable connector that allows for rapid connection and disconnection of the connector.
The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.
In one implementation, yoke 102 of power cable splicing connector 100 may include a central conductor 106 (also referred to as bus bar 106) and number of taps 108-1 to 108-3 (collectively “taps 108,” and individually “tap 108-x”). Central conductor 106 may be formed of a suitably conductive material, such as copper, aluminum, or other conductive alloy. Further, as shown in
Bus extensions 110 may be configured to receive connector portions of power cables 104 in the manner consistent with embodiments described herein. For example, each bus extension 110-x may include a spade portion 112 (also referred to as yoke spade portion 112) having a bore 114 (shown in
Crimp connector 116 may include a forward spade portion 120 (shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Yoke 102 may include a semi-conductive outer shield 128 formed from, for example, a peroxide-cured synthetic rubber, commonly referred to as EPDM (ethylene-propylene-dienemonomer). Within shield 128, yoke 102 may include an insulative inner housing 130, typically molded from an insulative rubber or epoxy material. Central conductor 106 may be enclosed within insulative inner housing 130.
Regarding cable receptacles 126, each cable receptacle 126-x may include an EPDM outer shield 132 and an insulative inner housing 133, typically molded from an insulative rubber or epoxy material. Cable receptacle 126-x further includes a conductive or semi-conductive insert 134 having a bore therethrough. Upon assembly, cable receptacle 126 surrounds the interface between power cable 104-x and bus extension 110-x. In one implementation, forward ends of insert 134 and outer shield 132 may be configured to frictionally engage a portion of yoke inner housing 130 at each tap 108 upon assembly of splicing connector 100, thereby ensuring the electrical integrity of splicing connector 100.
In one exemplary implementation, power cable splicing connector 100 may include a voltage detection test point assembly 136 for sensing a voltage in splicing connector 100. Voltage detection test point assembly 136 may be configured to allow an external voltage detection device, to detect and/or measure a voltage associated with splicing connector 100.
For example, as illustrated in
Consistent with implementations described herein, a test point cap 140 may sealingly engage portion test point terminal 138 and outer shield 128. In one implementation, test point cap 140 may be formed of a semi-conductive material, such as EPDM compounded with conductive additives. When test point terminal 138 is not being accessed, test point cap 140 may be mounted on test point assembly 136. Because test point cap 140 is formed of a conductive or semi-conductive material, test point cap 140 may ground the test point when in position. Test point cap 140 may include an aperture 142 for facilitating removal of test point cap 140, e.g., using a hooked lineman's tool.
As shown, in
Compression element 205 may include an element or combination or elements configured to provide resilient compression between head portion 235 of cam clamp pin 200 and spade portion 112 of bus extension 110. That is, compression element 205 may exert a biasing force between cam clamp pin 200 and spade portion 112. As described below, when cam member 220 is placed into its clamping position, compression elements 205 may cause a predetermined amount of force to be applied against spade portion 112 of bus extension 110 and forward spade portion 120 of crimp connector 116, thereby securing power cable 104 to yoke 102. Although secure, the resilient nature of compression element 205 may allow some movement of forward spade portion 120 relative to yoke spade portion 112 when cam member 220 is placed into its clamping position. This relative movement capability prevents or substantially reduces a likelihood that spade portion 120 or yoke spade portion 112 will break upon movement of yoke 102 or power cable 104.
In one implementation, compression element 205 includes a number of resilient washers or wave springs, each having a bore therethrough for shaft portion 240 of cam clamp pin 200. For example, as shown in
Gap spring 210 may include a resilient member configured to maintain washer 215 and cam member 220 in a spaced relationship relative to spade portion 112 of bus extension 110 prior to connection of crimp connector spade portion 120. For example, as shown in
Washer 215 may include a flat washer or similar element for providing a substantially flat biasing surface between gap spring 210 and spade portion 112. In addition, as described below, washer 215 may provide substantially flat biasing surface between gap spring 210 and cam member 220. In some implementations, washer 215 may include a plate, spacer, or other non-circular element. In addition, in some embodiments, washer 215 may include a resilient or compressive element, such as a wave washer or spring, for providing increased compressive force upon engagement of cam member 220. Washer 215 may be formed of a semi-rigid or rigid material, such as hardened steel, spring steel, stainless steel, plastic, etc,
Cam member 220 may include a pin receiving portion 250 and a tool engagement portion 255. As shown in
More specifically, as shown in
Upon compression of cam member 220 (in the manner described below), cam member 220 is rotated such the projection of cam member 220 from the central axis of receptacle 126 is reduced (e.g., by L1-W1). This reduced projection enables receptacle 126 to be installed on yoke 102.
Returning to
Bore 265 in cam member 220 may be spaced a predetermined distance from the edges of cam member 220. For ease of understanding, a first edge of cam member 220 may be referred to as uncompressed edge 251 and a second edge of cam member 220 may be referred to as compressed edge 252. The distance from the outside diameter of bore 265 to uncompressed edge 251 is shown as D1 and the distance from the outside diameter of bore 265 to compressed edge 252 is shown as D2. The relative difference between distance D1 and distance D2 establishes the clamp displacement of cam clamp 122 as described below. An optimal ratio between D1 and D2 is based on an amount of compression applied by compression element 205. A corner of cam member 220 between uncompressed edge 251 and compressed edge 252 may be rounded to increase the ease in transitioning cam member 220 between uncompressed edge 251 and compressed edge 252.
Pivot pin 225 may be sized to fit through bore 265 in cam member 220 and bore 245 in cam clamp pin 200. Pivot pin 225 may be secured within bores 265/245 by one or more retaining members 230. In some implementations, retaining members 230 may include snap rings or similar elements to retain pivot pin 225 within bores 265/245. In other implementations, retaining members 230 may include threaded nuts, end caps, or rivets.
Installation of pivot pin 225 in bores 265/245 rotatably secures pin 200 to cam member 220. As shown, slot 260 in pin receiving portion 250 of cam member 220 may enable rotational movement of cam member 220 relative to washer 215.
Tool engagement portion 255 of cam member 220 may include a cavity 270 for receiving a tool therein. In one implementation, cavity 270 may be substantially cylindrical and may be sized to receive a tool, such as a screwdriver. Cavity 270 may be angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of cam member 220 to provide a maximum range of motion during engagement of cam member 220 in the manner described below.
In an initial uncompressed state, uncompressed edge 251 may be provided adjacent washer 215. In this state, crimp connector spade portion 120 may be received on cam clamp pin 200. Rotation of cam member 220 about pivot pin 225 (e.g., via rotation of a tool receive in cavity 270) places compressed edge 252 adjacent to washer 215 and increases the effective width of cam member 220 (by the difference between D2 and D1). This causes compression element 205 to apply compressive forces to crimp connector spade portion 120, thereby securing crimp connector spade portion 120 to yoke spade portion 112.
Following “closing” of cam member 220, tool 600 may be removed. Cable receptacle 126 may be moved into overlying position over cam clamp 122, as shown in
The above-described cam type clamp assembly provides an effective and repeatable means for securing power cable spade assemblies together. More specifically, a cam clamp assembly may be provided that includes a cam clamp pin, one or more compression elements, and a cam member rotatable secured to an end of the cam clamp pin after the cam clamp pin is installed in one of the spade assemblies. Once the other spade assembly is installed onto the cam clamp pin, the cam member is moved from an open position to a closed position, thus compressing the compression element and securing the two spade assemblies together. In addition, consistent with aspects described herein, the above described cam clamp assembly prevents unsecured and unsafe assembly by disabling installation or connection of power cable receptacles unless the cam clamps are in their closed positions. In addition, the above described cam clamp electrical connector may be installed to a desired compression without requiring the use of a torque wrench of other complex/expensive tools.
The foregoing description of exemplary implementations provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments described herein to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the embodiments. For example, implementations described herein may also be used in conjunction with other devices, such as high voltage switchgear equipment, including 15 kV, 25 kV, or 35 kV equipment.
For example, various features have been mainly described above with respect to electrical connectors, and splicing or yoke-type connectors in particular. In other implementations, other medium/high voltage power components may be configured to include the connection mechanism configurations described above.
Although the invention has been described in detail above, it is expressly understood that it will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that the invention may be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. Various changes of form, design, or arrangement may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the above-mentioned description is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that defined in the following claims.
No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.
This application claims under 35. U.S.C. §119, based on priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/390,847, filed Oct. 7, 2010, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20120088393 A1 | Apr 2012 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61390847 | Oct 2010 | US |