The disclosed subject matter relates to electrical connectors and, more particularly, electrical connectors for use in connection with photovoltaic systems.
There is a growing need for renewable energy sources, with solar energy being at the forefront. As a result, the use of photovoltaic systems has increased exponentially in recent years. Electrical connectors are an integral part of a photovoltaic system, as they provide the necessary electrical connections between individual solar panels (i.e., photovoltaic modules) of a solar array, typically via electrical junction boxes, and between the solar panels and other system components (e.g., DC/AC inverters, etc.). Consequently, the reliability of the electrical connectors is crucial for maintaining a dependable and efficient photovoltaic system.
Current electrical connectors do not provide reliable electrical connections and their durability is low. In this regard, current electrical connectors are not sufficiently water-tight in that moisture may intrude, thereby damaging the electrical conductive components, or presenting a shock hazard among other undesirable consequences. What is needed, therefore, is a water-tight electrical connector that is easily installable, yet maintains a good electrical connection between the components of a photovoltaic system, and is reliable enough to withstand a wide range of environmental conditions.
The disclosed subject matter can overcome the disadvantages and shortcomings discussed above by providing an electrical connector system that includes first and second electrical connectors that are mated to one another to form a sealed connection in order to protect electrically-conductive components against the infiltration of moisture. More particularly, the first connector member includes an outer collar and a socket that extends past the collar. The socket includes a first annular ridge at its tip. A second annular ridge is present within the socket at its base. An electrically-conductive pin is housed within the first connector and extends into the interior of the socket. A second connector member includes an outer collar, a projecting plug within the collar, and an annular recess between the outer collar and the plug. An electrically-conductive socket, mated to the pin, is housed within the plug.
Both the inner wall of the socket of the first connector member and the outer wall of the plug of the second connector member are closely mated to each other and have smooth, generally conical and tapered surfaces to allow easy and complete insertion of the plug into the socket and separation thereof. When the plug of the second connector member has been completely inserted into the socket of the first connector member, the tip of the plug contacts (or at least is within close proximity to) the annular ring at the base of the socket, which is deformed so as to form a water-tight seal between the tip of the plug and the base of the socket. Likewise, the annular ring at the tip of the socket contacts (or at least is within close proximity to) the base of the recess and is deformed so as to form another water-tight seal between the tip of the socket and the base of the recess. These water-tight seals protect the electrically conductive components from moisture infiltration when the first and second connector members are mated with one another. A resilient deformable material or other sealing material, or an auxiliary seal, such as an o-ring, may also be used to add to the sealing effect.
A locking mechanism can be provided that locks the first and second connector members together when the plug of the second connector member is completely inserted into the socket of the first connector member, so as to insure the efficacy of the sealing effect. Specifically, the first connector member includes locking windows penetrating its outer collar, and the second connector member includes flexible locking tabs formed in its outer collar. The windows and tabs are arranged such that each tab engages with a respective window only when the plug has been completely inserted into the socket. In the locked configuration, each tab is recessed into its respective window, such that a tool is required to disengage it. As a result, the first and second connector members are prevented from any significant rotation with respect to each other, which might cause internally formed seals to be non-sealing.
Each of the first and second connector members can also include a liquid-tight fitting at the end thereof opposite its mated end. Specifically, the liquid-tight fitting can comprise a gland and gripping fingers that create redundant liquid seals, when a locking nut is tightened on the respective first or second connector member. This can cause the gripping fingers to deform the gland into sealing engagement with the cable of an electrical conductor inserted into the respective first and second connector members.
Specifically, the present invention has been adapted for use in connection with photovoltaic systems. However, the present invention can be utilized in connection with other power generating systems. Further features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on a reading of the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention.
Reference is made to the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiment considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring to
The first and second connector members 12, 14 can be manufactured from a thermoplastic polymer, such as polycarbonate. Alternatively, the first and second connector members 12, 14 may be manufactured from any other suitable materials known in the art, especially materials having electrical insulating properties and adequate flexibility, and the materials can be supplied by other manufacturers. Each of the first and second connector members 12, 14 is described in more detail below.
Referring to
The collar 26 further includes a pair of diametrically opposed, oblong-shaped locking windows 34 (one of which is shown in
A second annular ridge 48 is present within the socket at its base 50 (not shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The plug 90 includes a smooth, generally conical-shaped exterior surface 94 and a centrally located aperture 96 extending from a tip 98 of the plug 90 to a base 100 of the opening 92 (see
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7A-7C, the first and second connector members 12, 14 are releasably connected to one another by inserting the socket 40 of the first connector member 12 into the plug 90 of the second connector member 14. Since the interior surface 41 of the socket 40 and the exterior surface 94 of the plug 90 are closely mated to each other and have smooth, generally conical surfaces, they allow easy and complete insertion of the plug 90 into the socket 40. In this manner, the socket 118 is mated with the pin 66. When the plug 90 has been completely inserted into the socket 40, the end 30 of the collar 26 of the first connector 12 is juxtaposed with the ledge 88 of the second connector member 14. As a result, the tip 98 of the plug 90 contacts the annular ridge 48 at the base 50 of the socket 40, which is deformed so as to form a water-tight seal between the tip 98 of the plug 90 and the base 50 of the socket 40.
The annular ridge 44 at the tip 46 of the socket 40 contacts the base 100 of the opening 92 and is deformed so as to form another water tight seal between the tip 46 of the socket 40 and the base 100 of the opening 92. Accordingly, seals against infiltration of moisture are created by applying pressure on the annular ridges 44, 48 at the tip 46 and the base 50 of the socket 40 in contact with the second connector 14. As a result, the electrically-conductive components (i.e., the pin 66 and the socket 118) are protected from moisture. In addition, an O-ring 128 is preferably positioned between the tip 46 of the socket 40 and the base 100 of the opening 92 to enhance the water tight seal between the tip 46 of the socket 40 and the base 100 of the opening 92 (see FIG. 7B). Alternatively, the O-ring 128 need not be included. The liquid-tight fittings 22, 78 create redundant liquid seals along the conductors 16, 18, respectively, which further enhance the moisture resistance of the connector 10.
The windows 34 and tabs 102 are arranged and sized and shaped such that each tab 102 engages a respective window 34 only when the plug 90 has been completely inserted into the socket 40. In the locked configuration, each tab 102 is recessed into its corresponding window 34 such that a tool is required to disengage it. Also, in the locked configuration, each of the bosses 52 is sized and shaped to engage a corresponding one of the slots 104, so as to prevent rotation of the first connector 12 relative to the second connector 14, and vice-versa. Accordingly, the first and second connectors 12, 14 are firmly connected to one another. When the tabs 102 are disengaged, the smooth, generally conical surfaces of the socket 40 and the plug 90 allow for easy separation of the connectors 12, 14 from one another.
As indicated above, the electrical conductors 16, 18 serve as the positive and negative connections and, in turn, may be connected electrically to electrical devices of a photovoltaic system, DC/AC power inverters junction boxes other connectors, etc. (not shown in the Figures).
Turning now to
The first connector member 12′ includes a hexagonal-shaped flange 24′ and a tubular-shaped outer collar 26′ extending from the flange 24′ in a first direction. The collar 26′ further includes a pair of diametrically opposed, oblong-shaped locking windows 34′ (one of which is shown in
It will be understood that the electrical connectors 10, 10′ described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the full spirit and the scope of the embodiments described herein. For example, the size and shape of the first and second connectors 12, 14 can be varied to accommodate electrical conductors having sizes and shapes different from those of the conductors 16, 18. In addition, while the first connector member 12 includes the two windows 34, and the second connector member 14 includes the two tabs 102, they can include more or less than two of each. Furthermore, the tabs 102 and the windows 34 can consist of different shapes and sizes known in the art. Alternatively, the tabs 102 and the windows 34 need not be included and the first and second connectors 12, 14 may be attached to one another by other means known in the art (e.g., threads, adhesives, etc.). In addition, as indicated above, while the first connector 12 includes two of the bosses 52 and the second connector 14 includes two of the slots 104, they can include more or less than two of each. Finally, while each of the fingers 58 includes two of the teeth 60, and each of the fingers 110 includes two of the teeth 112, they each may include more or less than two. Accordingly, all such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.
This application is a Section 111(a) application relating to commonly owned, co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/254,770, entitled ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS, filed on Oct. 26, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4090759 | Herrmann, Jr. | May 1978 | A |
4601528 | Spier | Jul 1986 | A |
5131864 | Van Zeelst et al. | Jul 1992 | A |
6203354 | Kuwahara et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6296508 | Kuwahara et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6336821 | Hattori | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6409532 | Payson et al. | Jun 2002 | B2 |
6709289 | Huber et al. | Mar 2004 | B2 |
7070458 | Axenbock et al. | Jul 2006 | B2 |
7318758 | Haller | Jan 2008 | B2 |
8241051 | Yi et al. | Aug 2012 | B2 |
20060270262 | Schmidt et al. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
0570650 | Nov 1993 | EP |
2001283970 | Oct 2001 | JP |
2001338732 | Dec 2001 | JP |
2002009326 | Jan 2002 | JP |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20110097917 A1 | Apr 2011 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61254770 | Oct 2009 | US |