Patent Application
20200153127
The present invention relates to a direct burial ground connector for joining two independent ground rods, cables, and the like under or above ground. More particularly, the invention can be directly installed in concrete or earth without the use of special tools and requires only one simple tool for installation.
Currently, the need for using larger grounding connectors has become more common, with engineers and electrical designers requiring larger grounding electrode conductors for the premises grounding systems. Grounding connectors may require the use of special tools or instruments for installation of the conductors. These grounding connectors have open jaws or grooves to hold the ground rods, cables, and the like. Many of these enclosures are made of aluminum, copper etc. with multiple parts and pieces. The price of the metal and the use of multiple components increases the cost of these grounding connectors.
A direct burial metal ground lug is disclosed. The lug design advantageously allows for a reduction in the amount material which needs to be cast while still maintaining a durable wall thickness and excellent structural integrity. The metal block includes two portions. Preferably, the block made of a C510 phosphor bronze material. The first portion has a first through hole (102) and first threaded hole (104) having an axis perpendicular to an axis of the first through hole. The second portion has a second through hole (103) and a second threaded hole (105) having an axis perpendicular to an axis of the second through hole. The diameter of the second through hole is less than the diameter of the first through hole.
In a preferred embodiment, a direct burial ground lug including a joint portion to connect the first portion and the second portion is disclosed.
In a preferred embodiment, a direct burial ground lug including two threaded screws is disclosed. The first threaded screw (107) engages the first threaded hole and extends into its first through hole. The second threaded screw (108) engages the second threaded hole and extends into its second through hole.
In a preferred embodiment, a ground lug is disclosed which includes a block having a first through hole and a second through hole. The first through hole is greater in diameter than the second through hole. The ground lug also includes the block having a first threaded hole and a second threaded hole. Each threaded hole has an axis perpendicular to an axis of its respective through hole. The ground lug also includes a joint portion (106) to join the first through hole and the second through hole. The ground lug also includes two threaded screws to engage each threaded hole. The screws extend into the through holes. The joint (106) design between the two thread screws adds integrity while the screws are being torqued.
Various other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments of the present invention. Examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. While the embodiments will be described in conjunction with the drawings, it will be understood that the following description is not intended to limit the present invention to any one embodiment. On the contrary, the following description is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.
A key feature of the disclosed embodiments is the direct burial ground lug that does not require the use of special tools or instruments. One tool for installation of the rod and conductor may be used. The direct burial ground connector may fit onto two different sizes of ground rods, cables, and the like. Moreover, costs to produce the direct burial ground lug are reduced because of the lower price of material. Costs also may be reduced due to less components in the ground lug.
In a preferred embodiment phosphor bronze was selected as an appropriate material for the ground lug because of its high level of purity and anti-corrosive properties. Preferably, the material is phosphor bronze C510, although phosphor bronze C511, C426 or C521 may also be used. Phosphor bronze tends to deteriorate when exposed to air by forming an oxidation layer on the surface thereof. This oxidation layer is unattractive in appearance and may reduce the conductivity of the electrical terminal, and therefore the reliability over time. Thus, phosphor bronze embodiments may optionally be plated or encapsulated to overcome the deterioration and aesthetic issues.
Alternatively, stainless steel, copper or brass may be used to form the ground lug. In such embodiments, the preferred material is copper 194, although copper 195, 197 and possibly 110 and 102 may also be used. Alternatively, the outer surface of stainless steel, copper or brass ground lugs may optionally be plated or encapsulated.
In preferred embodiments, the disclosed ground lug is a C510 cast bronze connection component used to establish a secure ground connection with stainless steel allen screws between a #3/0 copper grounding electrode conductor and a ¾ inch grounding rod or #6 re-bar. The need for such a connection component is pronounced as projects require the largest grounding electrode conductor in the designs to grounding rods and concrete encased electrodes as part of the premises grounding electrode system.
The metal block 101 also includes a joint portion 106 between the threaded holes 104 and 105. Joint portion 106 may address the issue of false current. Any current generated using ground lug 100 will pass through the joint portion 106 to the grounding rod coupled to the lug. The joint portion 106 promotes a continuous ground loop.
The direct burial ground lug 100 also includes two threaded locking screws 107, 108. The threaded locking screws 107, 108 may be composed of stainless steel for strength and corrosion resistance purposes. As shown, the threaded locking screws 107, 108 fit onto the threaded holes 104, 105.
The direct burial ground lug 100 also includes the surface 109. The surface 109 has three markings “DB”, “GND”, and “UL”. “DB” and “GND” are markings that identify the direct burial ground lug 100 be suitable for direct burial and ground. “UL” is a designation for Underwriters Laboratory™.
The inner diameter of the through hole 102 is about 0.800 inches and the inner diameter of the through hole 103 is about 0.563 inches. The outer diameter of the through hole 102 is about 1.180 inches and the outer diameter of the through hole 103 is about 0.943 inches. The through holes 102, 103 have their axes spaced from each other by a distance of about 0.960 inches. The top portion 116 of the block 101 is about 1.585 inches. The distance between the top portion 116 to the center of the through hole 102 is about 0.625 inches and the distance between the top portion 116 to the center of the through hole 102 is about 0.625 inches.
The metal block 201 also includes a joint portion 206 between the threaded holes 204 and 205. Joint portion 206 may address the issue of false current. Any current generated using ground lug will pass through the joint portion 206 to the grounding rod coupled to the lug. The joint portion 206 promotes a continuous ground loop.
The direct burial ground lug also includes two threaded locking screws 207, 208. The threaded locking screws 207, 208 may be composed of stainless steel for strength and corrosion resistance purposes. As shown, the threaded locking screws 207, 208 fit onto the threaded holes 204, 205.
Thus, the disclosed embodiments include the direct burial ground lug that can be directly installed in concrete or earth with regard to anti-corrosion. Further, the disclosed ground lug may employ three parts: the body, the two Allen screws, and the rods. The ground lug may consist of two through holes, two threaded holes, and a consistent outer wall thickness. The ground lug may serve as a connector for two independent or separate ground rods. A first rod may be installed into a first hole and a second rod may be installed in a second hole, as disclosed above. Both locking screws are installed into the female threaded holes and torqued against the rods with a specified torque value. The end result is that the ground rods or ground circuit is connected for a continuous ground loop.
Although the invention has been described in detail above, it is expressly understood that it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications to the disclosed may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations disclosed above provides that these changes come within the scope of the claims and their equivalents.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62757516 | Nov 2018 | US |
