Transmission line grounding lug
AssigneeAndrew Corporation
InventorsMekell Jiles, Richard Korczak, Robert Walter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for grounding a transmission line having a diameter and an outer portion partially removed, revealing an exposed section. The grounding device includes an insert connected to the exposed section of the transmission line. A contact mechanism is included on the grounding device and electrically connects the exposed section of the transmission line. The contact mechanism automatically adjusts to fit the diameter of the transmission line, so that an electrical contact may be maintained with transmission lines having a variety of diameters. The device also includes a grounding line coupled to the insert, thus, providing a ground for the transmission line.
Claims38
A device for grounding a transmission line having a diameter, the grounding device comprising:
- an insert connected to the transmission line, said insert having a contact mechanism adapted to cause said insert to be in electrical contact with the transmission line, wherein said contact mechanism is adapted to adjust to fit the diameter of the transmission line, said contact mechanism comprising an inner portion and an outer portion, said inner portion indented from said outer portion;
- and
- a grounding line coupled to said insert.
A device for grounding a transmission line having a diameter, the grounding device comprising:
- a grounding line;
- a conductive insert connected to said grounding line and having a contact mechanism adapted to provide electrical contact with the transmission line and said insert, the insert further having a latching mechanism to lock the transmission line in electrical contact with said grounding line, wherein said latching mechanism comprises a plurality of flexible fingers adapted to engage each other and lock the transmission line into place;
- and
- a jacket adapted to cover said insert, a section of the transmission line, and a portion of said grounding line.
An insert for attaching a grounding line to a transmission line having a diameter and an exposed section, the insert comprising:
- an outer portion having a diameter, said outer portion coupled to the grounding line;
- and
- an inner portion indented from said outer portion and having a diameter less than said diameter of said outer portion, wherein said inner portion directly contacts a part of the exposed section of the transmission line and said inner portion is adapted to adjust to fit the diameter of the transmission line.
A method of providing electrical grounding to an electrical conductor of a transmission line, said method comprising the steps of:
- exposing a section of said electrical conductor;
- providing an insert connected to a grounding line, said insert comprising an inner portion and an outer portion, said inner portion indented from said outer portion;
- placing said insert around said exposed section of said electrical conductor such that said insert adjusts to contact said electrical conductor;
- and
- locking said insert in a closed position.
A method of providing an electrical grounding to an electrical conductor of a transmission line, said method comprising the steps of:
- exposing a section of said electrical conductor;
- providing a grounding assembly including an insert and a jacket adapted to cover said insert, said insert comprising an inner portion and an outer portion, said inner portion indented from said outer portion;
- placing said insert and jacket around the exposed section of the transmission line such that said insert adjusts to contact the exposed section of the transmission line;
- and
- locking said insert and said jacket in a closed position.
A method of making a grounding device, comprising the steps of:
- providing a sheet of a conductive metal;
- stamping said sheet of metal such that an inner portion is formed indented from an outer portion and that said inner portion is formed to adjust to contact a transmission line;
- and
- folding said sheet over, forming a circular shape such that said inner portion has a diameter less than said outer portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.