Wedge connector assemblies and methods and connections including same

A method for connecting first and second elongate electrical conductors, the method comprising:

• providing a wedge connector assembly including:
• a C-shaped sleeve member defining a sleeve cavity and opposed first and second sleeve channels on either side of the sleeve cavity;
• a wedge member including a wedge body having first and second opposed wedge side walls;
• and
• a locking mechanism including:
• a lock member including a sleeve engagement portion;
• and
• a clamping mechanism coupled to the wedge member;
• using the sleeve member and the wedge member, capturing the first and second conductors such that the first conductor is received in the first sleeve channel between the sleeve member and the first wedge side wall and the second conductor is received in the second sleeve channel between the sleeve member and the second wedge side wall;
• mounting the locking mechanism on the sleeve member and the wedge member such that the sleeve engagement portion interlocks with the sleeve member;
• and thereafter
• operating the clamping mechanism to force the wedge member and the lock member to converge and thereby force the wedge member into the sleeve cavity to apply clamping loads on the first and second conductors;
• wherein:
• the clamping mechanism includes a bolt having a head and a threaded shaft extending from the head;
• the wedge member has opposed front and rear ends;
• the front end leads the rear end as the wedge member is advanced into the sleeve cavity by the clamping mechanism;
• the bolt head is accessible from the rear end of the wedge member to be engaged by a tool to rotate the bolt and thereby force the wedge member into the sleeve cavity;
• the clamping mechanism further includes:
• an integral boss formed on the wedge member;
• and
• an integral threaded bore in the lock member;
• the threaded shaft threadedly engages the threaded bore;
• the bolt and the threaded bore cooperate to linearly displace the lock ember responsive to rotation of the bolt;
• and
• the integral boss is configured to transfer a drive force from the bolt to the wedge member to force the wedge member into the sleeve cavity to apply a clamping load on the first and second conductors.

A wedge connector system for connecting first and second elongate electrical conductors, the wedge connector system comprising:

• a C-shaped sleeve member defining a sleeve cavity and opposed first and second sleeve channels on either side of the sleeve cavity;
• a wedge member including a wedge body having first and second opposed wedge side walls;
• and
• a locking mechanism including:
• a lock member including a sleeve engagement portion;
• and
• a clamping, mechanism coupled to the wedge member;
• wherein:
• the sleeve member and the wedge member are configured to capture the first and second conductors such that the first conductor is received in the first sleeve channel between the sleeve member and the first wedge side wall and the second conductor is received in the second sleeve channel between the sleeve member and the second wedge side wall;
• the locking mechanism is mountable on the sleeve member and the wedge member such that the sleeve engagement portion interlocks with the sleeve member and the clamping mechanism can be operated to force the wedge member and the lock member to converge and thereby force the wedge member into the sleeve cavity to apply clamping loads on the first and second conductors;
• the wedge member includes a guide slot;
• the lock member includes a guide rail slidably received in the guide slot;
• and
• the guide slot and the guide rail cooperate to maintain alignment between the sleeve member and the wedge member as the wedge member is forced into the sleeve cavity by the clamping mechanism.

A wedge connector system for connecting first and second elongate electrical conductors, the wedge connector system comprising:

• a C-shaped sleeve member defining a sleeve cavity and opposed first and second sleeve channels on either side of the sleeve cavity;
• a wedge member including a wedge body having first and second opposed wedge side walls;
• and
• a locking mechanism including:
• a lock member including a sleeve engagement portion;
• and
• a clamping mechanism coupled to the wedge member;
• wherein:
• the sleeve member and the wedge member are configured to capture the first and second conductors such that the first conductor is received in the first sleeve channel between the sleeve member and the first wedge side wall and the second conductor is received in the second sleeve channel between the sleeve member and the second wedge side wall;
• the locking mechanism is mountable on the sleeve member and the wedge member such that the sleeve engagement portion interlocks with the sleeve member and the clamping mechanism can be operated to force the wedge member and the lock member to converge and thereby force the wedge member into the sleeve cavity to apply clamping loads on the first and second conductors;
• the clamping mechanism includes a bolt having a head and a threaded shaft extending from the head;
• the wedge member has opposed front and rear ends;
• the front end leads the rear end as the wedge member is advanced into the sleeve cavity by the clamping mechanism;
• the bolt head is accessible from the front end of the wedge member to be engaged by a tool to rotate the bolt and thereby force the wedge member into the sleeve cavity;
• the clamping mechanism further includes:
• an integral boss formed on the lock member;
• and
• an integral threaded bore in the wedge member;
• the threaded shaft threadedly engages the threaded bore;
• the bolt and the threaded bore cooperate to linearly displace the lock member responsive to rotation of the bolt;
• and
• the integral boss is configured to transfer a drive force from the bolt to the wedge member to force the wedge member into the sleeve cavity to apply a clamping load on the first and second conductors.