Patent Grant
10530110
Municipal water distribution systems are designed to provide water from a central distribution facility to individual service locations. In these systems, water is often pumped through pipes buried in the ground. These pipes often require maintenance and repair due to age, damage, or other reasons. Repairing buried water pipes requires crewmen to excavate the pipes and disconnect and reconnect pipe connections. Some residential homes have electrical service that is grounded on the water pipes, which are often made of metal and therefore are electrically conductive. In these circumstances, there is occasionally stray electrical current passing through the pipes and the main distribution lines, as well as the junction between the two, a location known as a “curb stop.” Service crews excavating pipes to repair, replace, or update them must handle the exposed metal pipes, and can be electrically shocked by the stray current traveling through the pipes. A new device that addresses these issues, among others, in therefore needed.
A high-level overview of various aspects of the present invention is provided in this summary, as well as a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed-description section. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims.
In a first aspect, an apparatus for providing a temporary electrical grounding path is provided. The apparatus comprises an electrically conductive cable having first and second ends, a first conductive coupling electrically coupled to the first end of the cable and a first magnetic component, the first magnetic component detachably coupled to the first conductive coupling and configured to be electrically and magnetically coupled to a first conductive surface, and a second conductive coupling electrically coupled to the second end of the cable, the second conductive coupling configured to be electrically coupled to a second conductive surface.
In a second aspect, an apparatus for providing a temporary electrical bypass is provided. The apparatus comprises an electrically conductive cable having first and second ends, a first conductive coupling electrically coupled to the first end of the cable, the first conductive coupling configured to be electrically coupled to a first conductive surface, and a second conductive coupling electrically coupled to the second end of the cable, the second conductive coupling configured to be electrically coupled to a second conductive surface.
In a third aspect, a method for providing an electrical grounding connection is provided. The method comprises providing an electrically conductive cable having first and second ends, electrically coupling a first conductive coupling to the first end of the cable, electrically coupling a second conductive coupling to the second end of the cable, electrically coupling the first conductive coupling to a first conductive surface, and electrically coupling the second conductive coupling to a second conductive surface.
In this disclosure, the term “clamp” or “pipe clamp” as used herein may refer to any mechanical closing device that can couple an electrical component to a pipe or similar object and provide a secure connection. Such a device may be detachable or securable in a variety of ways. The clamps described herein are not limited to clamps designed for water pipes. The term “magnetic component” as used herein may comprise any number of magnetic devices configured to selectively attach and magnetically couple to a conductive surface.
Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures. Although these figures are representative of a number of possible configurations of the temporary grounding apparatus, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that multiple arrangements and combinations of the elements are possible, and the possible configurations of the apparatus are not limited to the examples shown in the drawings, which are exemplary and non-exclusive in nature. In reference to the figures:
The subject matter of the various embodiments of the present invention is described with specificity in this disclosure to meet statutory requirements. However, the description is not intended to limit the scope of claims. Rather, the claimed subject matter may be embodied in various other ways to include different features, components, elements, combinations, and steps, similar to the ones described in this document, and in conjunction with other present and future technologies. Terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps disclosed herein unless the stated order of steps is explicitly required. Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as use of components not shown, are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.
Aspects herein provide for an apparatus or device that is configured to provide a temporary electrical grounding connection between two conductive surfaces. Specifically, the apparatus or device may be configured to provide a temporary electrical grounding connection between pipes where ordinary electrical bypass equipment may be difficult to use or impractical. The device may comprise an electrically conductive cable having first and second ends, a first conductive coupling coupled to the first end of the cable, a second conductive coupling coupled to the second end of the cable, and a connection component electrically coupled to each conductive coupling. Each connection component may be configured to be coupled to a conductive surface, and the conductive surface may be exposed metal on a pipe. Each conductive coupling may be configured to attach to the respective conductive surface by a number of securement methods, including by the use of clamps, magnets, or a combination of the two.
In one exemplary aspect, the device comprises an electrically conductive cable having first and second ends, the first and second ends coupled to first and second conductive couplings, respectively. Each conductive coupling may be electrically coupled to a first or a second clamp configured to engage a conductive surface, such as a pipe, and provide electrical contact between the coupling and the conductive surface. The first clamp may engage a conductive surface on a first pipe and the second clamp may engage a conductive surface on a separate portion of the first pipe or on a second pipe, providing an electrical path between the conductive surfaces. Each clamp may be selected based on the size or type of the pipe. The clamp may be a C-type clamp, or a modified version of a C-type clamp, or another type of clamp.
Each clamp may be integrated with, secured to, or otherwise affixed to the first or the second conductive coupling in any number of ways to facilitate joining the conductive coupling to a pipe. The clamps may feature first and second halves, with the first half comprising the conductive coupling, and the second half comprising a securing component for holding the pipe against the conductive coupling when the clamp is closed around the pipe. The securement component may be a partial collar, saddle, coupling, or other component designed to engage and secure a pipe. The device may be selectively adjustable by securing the clamp to different locations, such as to different pipes or fittings, and in this regard, the orientation of the cable and mounts can be adjusted. This may be useful for creating a secure electrical connection in difficult to reach pipe configurations or geometries.
The clamps may be configured to engage and secure different valves or junctions on a pipe. The first and second halves of each clamp may comprise any number of connections, tools, objects, or shaped elements to facilitate such connections. Each clamp may be selectively interchangeable to allow use of different sized clamps with the conductive couplings, the different clamps suitable to engage and secure different sized pipes or pipes with different requirements for mechanical coupling (e.g., amount of closing force required to prevent damage to the pipe). Each clamp may be integrated with the conductive coupling, such that the clamp provides part or all of the conductive coupling, or such that the conductive coupling is detachable from the clamp. Any of the clamp and accompanying components may also be electrically insulated.
In another exemplary aspect, the device may comprise first and second conductive couplings that are electrically coupled to a clamp and a magnetic component, respectively, to provide two different means of attaching to conductive surfaces (any combination is possible and contemplated). In one such configuration, the clamp may be used to electrically couple the first conductive coupling to a first pipe element, and the magnetic component may be used to magnetically and electrically couple the second conductive coupling to a second pipe element or another object where using a clamp would be less practical or easy to execute. This provides numerous options for a user to position the bypass device on one or more pipes, surfaces, or components, and may reduce the difficulty of attaching a bypass component to a large pipe where a clamp cannot be easily attached.
The magnetic component may be coupled to the second conductive coupling in a variety of ways. For example, the magnetic component may further comprise a conductive mount, such as a copper or brass stub, extending from one of a plurality of locations on the magnetic component. The second conductive coupling or magnetic component may further comprise a clamp, which may be similar to the clamp used to electrically engage a pipe as described above, configured to close around the stub and electrically engage and secure the second conductive coupling to the stub, and subsequently, to the magnetic component. The magnetic component may further include multiple stubs positioned at multiple locations. The magnetic component may be configured such that each stub may be selectively affixed, or positioned, at one of the plurality of locations. By having multiple locations for one or more stubs to be secured on the magnetic component, the connection between the second conductive coupling and the magnetic component may be adjusted to provide a more favorable orientation for the user.
The magnetic component may further comprise different shapes, elements, or features that facilitate attachment to the second conductive surface. For example, when the second conductive surface is a large diameter pipe, the magnetic component may be shaped to engage the pipe, and include contours on one or more surfaces of the magnetic component so that the magnetic component conforms to the shape of the large diameter pipe. The magnetic component may comprise multiple contours each shaped to engage and conform to the same or different sized pipes. For example, the magnetic component may comprise a box shape having four sides, with three sides shaped to conform to three different pipe diameters or pipe diameter ranges. The first side may conform to a 4-8 inch diameter pipe, the second side may conform to a 10-12 inch diameter pipe, and the third side may conform to pipes 16 inches or larger in diameter, for example. Alternatively, different pipe matching contours may be located on the same side of the magnetic component in varying arrangements, with the different contours overlapping, adjacent, or contained partially or wholly within each other. A handle may be affixed to the magnetic component to facilitate positioning and movement of the magnetic component and the handle may be at least partially insulated. Each of the cable, the conductive couplings, the magnetic components, the handle, and the clamps may be at least partially electrically and/or thermally insulated to shield electrical current.
In another exemplary aspect, the first and the second conductive couplings may be electrically coupled to first and second magnetic components configured to magnetically and electrically couple the first and second conductive components to first and second conductive surfaces, respectively, providing a temporary electrical bypass with only magnetic attachments. Each magnetic component may comprise the elements described above or include other features. The conductive surfaces may be located on different pipes or on different portions of the same pipe. The magnetic components may each comprise at least one conductor mount, or stub, extending from one of a plurality of possible locations on the magnetic component, allowing a variety of orientations and positions for the conductive cable connecting the two magnetic components. Each conductive coupling may be joined to each magnetic component using a clamp and a stub, as described above, or by another type of connection. The magnetic components may be shaped to engage a pipe or multiple pipes, and may have multiple contours shaped to engage different pipe diameters, or pipe diameter ranges, as described above. The magnetic components may also incorporate mounting handles. Each of the cable, the conductive couplings, the magnetic components, and the handles may be at least partially electrically and/or thermally insulated to shield electrical current.
In another exemplary aspect, multiple conductive couplings and cables may be used to form a multi-component temporary electrical grounding apparatus or device for connecting three or more conductive surfaces. Multiple clamps, a combination of clamps and magnetic components, or multiple magnetic components may be selected interchangeably to allow a variety of connections between conductive surfaces. The clamps and magnetic components may incorporate the features and elements described above, and may be electrically coupled by multiple cables joining the three or more conductive couplings using the components described above.
In one exemplary configuration of the multi-component temporary electrical grounding device described above, a clamp and two magnetic components may be used to electrically couple three conductive surfaces. The clamp may comprise a first conductive coupling on a first half of the clamp and a saddle on a second half of the clamp, and the clamp may be secured to a conductive surface on a pipe of a size that the clamp may engage. The first conductive coupling may be electrically coupled to a second conductive coupling with a first conductive cable, and the second conductive coupling may be electrically coupled to a first magnetic component using a clamp and a stub as described above, the second magnetic component electrically and magnetically coupled to a second conductive surface. A second stub may be positioned on the first magnetic component to allow the first magnetic component to be electrically coupled to a second magnetic component using a second cable. The second cable may be electrically coupled to each of the magnetic components using the clamp and stub configuration described above. Each of the clamp, the first magnetic component, and the second magnetic component may be coupled to different conductive surfaces to provide an electrical current path between each of the conductive surfaces, which may be used to ground an electrified pipe. Different orientations of the cables are possible by moving the stub to different locations on each magnetic component, and different variations of the components described herein may be used, as well as different combinations of elements. This example is non-limiting, and different electrical bypass configurations utilizing three clamps, three magnetic components, or any other combination of clamps and magnetic components are possible. This configuration can be extended or repeated using clamps or magnetic components to electrically couple as many conductive surfaces as desired.
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A third conductive coupling 170 is electrically coupled to the first magnetic component 112 through a third magnet clamp 172 coupled to a second stub 174 located on the first magnetic component 112. The third conductive coupling 170 is electrically coupled to a fourth conductive coupling 178 through a second electrically conductive cable 184 having a first end 186 and a second end 188. The first end 186 of the second cable 184 is electrically coupled to the third conductive coupling 170, and the second end 188 of the second cable 184 is electrically coupled to the fourth conductive coupling 178, the fourth conductive coupling 178 being located on a third magnetic component 176. The fourth conductive coupling 178 is electrically coupled to the third magnetic component 176 through a fourth magnet clamp 180 electrically coupled to a third stub 182 affixed to the third magnetic component 176. The third magnetic component 176 is electrically coupled to a third conductive surface, so that the device provides a current path between the first, second, and third conductive surfaces.
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The magnet clamp 118 further comprises a first half 130 and a second half 132 which are brought together when the magnet clamp 118 is closed to electrically couple and secure the magnet clamp 118 to the stub 114. The first half 130 of the magnet clamp 118 retains the first conductive coupling 104, and the second half 132 of the magnetic clamp 118 retains a saddle 138, which work together to engage and retain the stub 114 when the magnet clamp 118 is closed around a pipe or similar object. The first magnetic component 112 includes a curved contour 128 that matches the curved contour of the pipe. The second conductive coupling 106 comprises a pipe clamp 116, the pipe clamp 116 comprising a first half 134 and a second half 136. The first half 134 of the pipe clamp 116 secures the second conductive coupling 106 to the pipe clamp 116 and the second half 136 of the pipe clamp 116 secures a pipe saddle 140 to the pipe clamp 116. When the pipe clamp 116 is closed, the first and second halves 134, 136 join together to engage and secure the pipe, providing an electrical connection between the second conductive coupling 106 and the pipe.
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Embodiments of the technology have been described to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this disclosure. Further, alternative means of implementing the aforementioned elements and steps can be used without departing from the scope of the claims below, as would be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art. Certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations, and are contemplated as within the scope of the claims.
This application is a divisional application and claims priority to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/960,836, filed Dec. 7, 2015, titled “TEMPORARY ELECTRICAL GROUNDING SYSTEM HAVING A MAGNETIC COMPONENT COUPLED TO A CONDUCTIVE SURFACE,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/098,765, filed Dec. 31, 2014, titled “TEMPORARY ELECTRICAL GROUNDING DEVICE.” The contents of each of these referenced applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20170207595 A1 | Jul 2017 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62098765 | Dec 2014 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14960836 | Dec 2015 | US |
| Child | 15473997 | US |
