US 4,822,291 A · Gas operated electrical connector

Abstract

A high voltage insulated bushing module of the gas operated fault closure type for connection with the probe of a mating insulated elbow module is disclosed. The module includes a snuffer tube adapted to perform as a piston within a piston cylinder cut from a length of drawn aluminum tubing. A connector unit mounted on and carried by the tube is provided to conduct load current in series abutting contact with and between the probe and the cylinder. Fault current arcing struck between an incoming probe contact and the tube mounted connector unit generates gas pressure to drive the tube toward the incoming probe, which in turn pulls the connector unit into connection with the probe contact to extinguish the arc. Alternatively, the connector unit is adapted for connection to an elongated, replaceable nut connected directly to the threaded stud of a mating bushing well, thereby rendering all load current conductive components of the bushing insert to be readily replaceable. The replaceable nut may be installed at a predetermined value of torque to assure that the threaded stud of the bushing well will not be broken during installation. The tube is configured for limiting the travel of the tube and for sealing the tube against gas leakage.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A separable insulated connector module for electrical connection to another component of an electrical distribution system and to an incoming probe of a mating elbow module comprising

an elongated housing having a bore,
an elongated conductive connector having first and second extremities,
means for making said electrical connection to said other component,
an elongated dielectric tube adapted for movement along said bore upon the occurrence of a fault current arc formed within said tube,
said first extremity of said elongated connector being disposed within said dielectric tube and being adapted for making a conductive connection to said probe,
said second extremity of said elongated connector comprising means for connecting to said electrical connection making means,
said elongated connector including an elongated continuous portion of metal comprising a first elongated finger portion of said first extremity and a second elongated finger portion of said connecting means of said second extremity, said second finger portion being disposed in abutting contact with said electrical connection making means.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Gas operated electrical connector

Life of this patent

Gas operated electrical connector

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6