Portable power connector with rfid tracking system and method
AssigneeIntegro LLC
InventorsJohn Bogart, Tara Stewart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrical connector includes a female and male connector each having a tapered insulator and a contact with a first set screw a radial aperture. A set screw is received within the radial apertures, the set screws having an outer surface and a bore extending at least partway therethrough. A retaining screw is received within the bores of the set screws and corresponding aperture in the female and male connector. An RFID transponder is disposed within the connector. The transponder is configured to transmit a first signal to a transmitting and receiving device and receive a second signal from the transmitting and receiving device.
Claims25
An electrical connector for a cable for distributing power, the connector comprising:
- a first end, a second end, and a midsection;
- a female connector comprising,
- a tapered female insulator defining a first taper extending radially outwardly from the first end and tapering axially inward to the midsection, and
- a female contact defining a first set screw contact having at least one first radial aperture;
- a male connector comprising,
- a tapered male insulator defining a second taper extending radially outwardly from the second end and tapering axially inward to the midsection;
- and
- a male contact defining a second set screw contact having at least one second radial aperture;
- a first set screw received within the at least one first radial aperture and a second set screw received within the at least one second radial aperture, each of the first and second set screws defining an outer surface and a bore extending at least partway therethrough;
- a first retaining screw received within the bore of the first set screw and corresponding aperture in the female connector;
- a second retaining screw received within the bore of the second set screw and corresponding aperture in the male connector;
- and
- an RFID transponder disposed within the connector, the transponder configured to transmit a first signal to a transmitting and receiving device and receive a second signal from the transmitting and receiving device.
A connector for a cable for distributing power, the connector comprising:
- a tapered insulator having a first end and a second end;
- a contact defining a set screw contact having at least one radial aperture therein;
- at least one set screw received within the at least one radial aperture, the at least one set screw defining an outer surface and a bore extending at least partway therethrough;
- a retaining screw received within the bore of the first set screw and a corresponding aperture defined in the insulator to secure assembly of the connector;
- and
- an RFID transponder disposed within the connector, the transponder configured to transmit a first signal to a transmitting and receiving device and receive a second signal from the transmitting and receiving device.
A method for assembling and installing one of a female or male connector on a cable comprising:
- measuring a diameter Dc of the cable;
- identifying a tapered segment of an insulator wherein the tapered segment defines a bore therein corresponding to diameter Dc;
- cutting the insulator at a groove located immediately axially outward of the tapered segment;
- sliding cable through the insulator;
- removing a first portion of cable insulation to expose a conductor;
- wrapping a first portion of a strain relief member around a second portion of cable insulation and extending a second portion of the strain relief member along the exposed conductor;
- wrapping a conductive foil around the exposed conductor and the second portion of the strain relief wire to form a wrapped conductor;
- guiding the insulator onto the cable until the second portion of the strain relief member is positioned diametrically opposite a retaining screw aperture formed in the insulator;
- selecting an electrically conductive contact from among a female and male contact and inserting the wrapped conductor into the contact;
- threadedly engaging one or more set screws within corresponding apertures defined in the contact;
- assuring that the contact is fully seated within the insulator such that the threaded retaining screw aperture is aligned with at least one of the set screws;
- driving a retaining screw into the retaining screw aperture of the insulator;
- imbedding an RFID transponder in a connector in communication with an electronic device;
- transmitting a first signal to the imbedded RFID transponder;
- and
- receiving a second signal from the RFID transponder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.