High voltage electrical connector with access cavity and inserts for use therewith
AssigneeCooper Industries, Inc.
InventorsFrank J. Muench, Jr., John M. Makal, James A. Wenzel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A high voltage electrical connector (50) interconnects sources of energy, such as transformers and circuit breakers, to distribution systems and the like via a high voltage cable (37). The high voltage electrical connector (50) includes an access cavity (58) providing access to the interior of the electrical connector. The access cavity (58) may be fitted with an insert plug (20) or an insert injection plug (120). The inserts (20, 120) include a conductive shield (36, 136) to reduce the possibility of electrical discharges from the inserts.
Claims29
A high voltage electrical connector comprising:
- a body portion of electrically insulative material;
- a body portion conductive external shield at least partially surrounding the body portion;
- a projection of electrically insulating material having a first end connected to the body portion and a second end extending from the body portion;
- an access cavity extending through the projection and having an opening in the second end of the projection, the access activity communicating an exterior of the electrical connector with a conductive portion of an interior of the electrical connector;
- a projection conductive external shield secured to the projection, the projection conductive external shield being permanently electrically coupled to the body portion conductive external shield and extending from the body portion conductive external shield at least to the second end of the projection;
- and
- an insert having a body made from an insulative material, the body comprising:
- an insertion portion received by the access cavity, and
- an exposure portion, the exposure portion including
- an exterior surface,
- a conductive coating fixedly secured to the exterior portion and electrically coupled to the conductive external shield.
A high voltage electrical connector comprising:
- a body portion of a electrically insulative material;
- a body portion conductive external shield at least partially surrounding the body portion;
- a projection of electrically insulating material having a first end connceted to the body portion and a second end extending from the body portion;
- an access cavity extending through the projection and having an opening in the second end of the projection, the access activity communicating an exterior of the electrical connector with a conductive portion of an interior of the electrical connector;
- a projection conductive external shield secured to the projection, the projection conductive external shield being permanently electrically coupled to the body portion conductive external shield and extending from the body portion conductive external shield at least to the second end of the projection;
- and
- a dielectric injection plug comprising:
- a body made from an insulative material, the body having an insertion portion and an exposure portion, the exposure portion having an attachment portion, the insertion portion including a shaft, the exposure portion including an exterior surface, a grasping portion, a conductive shield covering the exterior surface of the exposure portion, and an electrical coupling member for electrically coupling the conductive coating with a conductive surface, the exposure portion, the insertion portion, and the attachment portion inducing a continuous internal channel through which a fluid may travel, the attachment portion having an attachment opening to the channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.