Electrical connector
AssigneeRaychem Corporation
InventorsPravin L. Soni, Mohamed H. Higgy
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device for forming an electrical connection between a number of electrical wires comprises an electrically insulating sleeve and a hollow connecting element, for example in the form of a coil, which is formed from solder for forming a solder joint between the wires. The connecting element has a tapering internal surface that is provided with a screw thread, for example by means of the coil windings, arranges so that a temporary electrical connection may be formed between the conductors by twisting them into the connecting element. The device can be higher and, when installed have reduced size compared with connectors that are provided with infusible connecting elements.
Claims19
A device for forming an electrical connection between a plurality of elongate electrical conductors, which comprises an electrically insulating sleeve and a hollow connecting element contained within the sleeve, the connecting element formed from solder for forming a solder connection between the conductors and having a tapering internal surface that is provided with a screw thread, arranged so that a temporary electrical connection between the conductors may be formed by twisting them into the connecting element.
A device for forming an electrical connection between a plurality of elongate electrical conductors which comprises an electrically insulating sleeve and containing a hollow connecting element contained within the sleeve, the connecting element comprising a tapering coil of solder wire for forming a solder connection between the conductors, the solder wire having at least one ridge extending helically along at least part of its length, arranged so that a temporary electrical connection between the conductors may be formed by twisting them into the coil.
A device as claimed in 9, wherein the coil of the solder wire has opposite handedness to that of the helix or helices of the or each ridge extending along at least part of the length of the wire.
A method of forming an electrical connection between a plurality of elongate electrical conductors by means of a device comprising an electrically insulating sleeve and a hollow connecting element contained within the sleeve, the connecting element formed from solder, for forming a solder connection between the conductors and having a tapering internal surface that is provided with a screw thread, arranged so that a temporary electrical connection between the conductors may be formed by twisting them into the connecting element, the method comprising:
- (a) twisting the elongate electrical conductors into the solder connecting element of the device, thereby forming a temporary electrical connection between the conductors;
- (b) heating the device so that at least some of the solder of the connecting element melts;
- and
- (c) allowing the device to cool so that the molten solder solidifies and forms a solder connection between the conductors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.