# US 2008/0188093 A1 · Rotating power connector for electric welding torch unicables > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0188093 A1 - Document ID: US20080188093A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/968,956 - Filed: 2008-01-03 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-02 - Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Inventors: Thomas Jaeger - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080188093A1 ## CPC - H01R 35/04: Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle {with frictional contact members} - H01R 9/11: End pieces for multiconductor cables supported by the cable and for facilitating connections to other conductive members {, e.g. for liquid cooled welding cables} - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract A rotating power connector for an electric welding torch unicable includes a generally cylindrical outer housing having a longitudinal axis. A connector pin is fixedly, axially disposed within the outer housing and extends from one end thereof. A rotating stud is rotatably, axially disposed within the outer housing and extends from another end thereof. The connector pin and the rotating stud have ends in contact within the outer housing. A secondary electrical contact ring also is disposed within the outer housing. The secondary electrical contact ring includes at least one contact portion contacting the rotating stud. At least one biasing member is disposed between the rotating stud and the contact ring. The biasing member urges the rotating stud into engagement with the connector pin and urges the contact ring into engagement with the rotating stud. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A rotating power connector for an electric welding torch unicable, said rotating power connector comprising: a generally cylindrical outer housing having a longitudinal axis; a connector pin fixedly, axially disposed within said outer housing and extending from one end thereof; a rotating stud rotatably, axially disposed within said outer housing and extending from another end thereof; said connector pin and said rotating stud having ends in contact within said outer housing; a secondary electrical contact ring disposed within said outer housing, said secondary electrical contact ring including at least one contact portion contacting said rotating stud; and at least one biasing member disposed between said rotating stud and said contact ring urging said rotating stud into engagement with said connector pin and urging said contact ring into engagement with said rotating stud. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The rotating power connector of claim 1, wherein said rotating stud and said connector pin are in electrical contact such that electric current flows therethrough. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The rotating power connector of claim 1, wherein said connector pin and rotating stud are tubular for communicating shielding gas therethrough. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The rotating power connector of claim 1, wherein said connector pin is insertable into a welding torch to connect the rotating power connector to the welding torch. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The rotating power connector of claim 1, wherein said rotating stud is connectable to an electric welding torch unicable. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The rotating power connector of claim 1, wherein said at least one biasing member is a wave spring. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The rotating power connector of claim 1, including a slip ring on said rotating stud, wherein one biasing member is disposed between said slip ring and a portion of said rotating stud and urges said rotating stud into engagement with said connector pin, and another biasing member is disposed between said slip ring and said contact ring urges said contact ring into engagement with said rotating stud. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The rotating power connector of claim 1, including an inner housing disposed inside of said outer housing and generally over said outer housing and said rotating stud and connector pin. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The rotating power connector of claim 8, wherein said inner housing includes a tapered surface in contact with said at least one contact portion of said contact ring, said tapered surface urging said at least one contact portion into engagement with said rotating stud. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The rotating power connector of claim 8, wherein said inner housing contacts said connector pin and said at least one contact portion of said contact ring to allow for the flow of electric current from said rotating stud through said contact ring and said inner housing into said connector pin. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The rotating power connector of claim 1, wherein said contact ring includes eight contact portions contacting said rotating stud. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The rotating power connector of claim 1, including a bearing around said rotating stud, said bearing facilitating rotation of said rotating stud relative to said connector pin. ### Claim 13 An assembly for rotational movement of an electric welding torch unicable, said assembly comprising: a connector that rotatably connects a welding torch unicable to a welding torch such that the unicable is rotatable relative to the welding torch; wherein the unicable, connector, and welding torch are in fluid communication, are electrically connected, and cooperate to define a passageway for a welding material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The assembly of claim 13, wherein said connector communicates electrical current from said unicable to said welding torch. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The assembly of claim 13, wherein said connector communicates shielding gas from said unicable to said welding torch. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The assembly of claim 13, wherein said connector includes: a housing; and a rotating member received in said housing, said rotating member being rotatable relative to said housing; said rotating member being connectable to said unicable.