Separable insulated connector and method
AssigneeCooper Technologies Company
InventorsDavid C. Hughes, Paul M. Roscizewski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A separable insulated connector provides a current path for high-energy distribution between a power transmission or power distribution apparatus and an elbow connector. As gases and conductive particles exit the separable insulated connector during loadbreak switching, the gases and particles are re-directed away from a mating electrode probe and diverted along a path non-parallel to the electrode probe.
Claims44
A loadbreak bushing for a power distribution or transmission system for receiving a male contact of a mating separable insulated connector, comprising:
- a body having a venting path formed therein for venting particles and gases generated internally to the body during a loadbreak operation, and
- wherein the venting path is configured to vent the particles and gases externally from the body of the loadbreak bushing through a terminal portion which is divergent from the axis of motion of the male contact.
A method comprising expelling gases and particles from a loadbreak bushing having a venting path the gases and particles being generated internally to the loadbreak bushing during a loadbreak switching operation, wherein, during the switching operation, the loadbreak bushing is disengaged from a mating connector by movement along an axis of motion, and wherein the gases and particles are expelled from the loadbreak bushing along the venting path, wherein the venting path is configured to vent the gases and particles externally from the loadbreak bushing through a terminal portion which is divergent from the axis of motion.
A separable insulated connector for connecting a bushing well of a power transmission or power distribution apparatus and an elbow connector, comprising:
- means for conducting current;
- means for insulating, wherein means for insulating is layered against the internal wall of means for conducting current;
- and
- means for receiving an electrode probe, wherein means for venting the flow of matter is created between means for insulating and means for receiving an electrode probe, such that means for receiving and means for insulating are contoured to radially divert matter non-parallel to means for receiving an electrode probe.
A separable insulated connector, comprising:
- an insulated housing;
- an internal conductive layer layered near the interior wall of the insulated housing;
- an internal insulative layer layered against the interior wall of the internal conductive layer, having a first and second end;
- and
- a molded contact tube assembly, inserted in the insulated housing, having a first and second end, wherein the first end is positioned near a rim of the insulated housing and the second end is positioned approximately near a middle of the insulated housing, wherein the molded contact tube is configured such that a venting path is created between the internal insulative layer and the molded contact tube, and wherein the first end of the contact tube and the first end of the insulative layer are contoured to divert the venting path non-parallel to the contact tube.
A system comprising:
- a power transmission or power distribution apparatus;
- a separable insulated connector;
- and
- a bushing, including a first end and second end, wherein the first end of the bushing is connected to a mating separable insulated connector and the second end is attached to a conductive stud on the power transmission or power distribution apparatus, wherein during a switching operation, gases and particles generated in an internal bore of the bushing travel along a path within the bushing and are expelled from the bushing, wherein the path is configured to vent the gases and particles externally from the bushing through a terminal portion which is divergent from the axis of motion of the mating separable insulated connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.