Actuating device for separable connector system
AssigneeCooper Technologies Company
InventorsDavid Charles Hughes, Brian Todd Steinbrecher
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A loadbreak connector system and methods for visible break include first and second mating connector assemblies configured to make or break an electrical connection under energized circuit conditions, the first and second mating connectors selectively positionable relative to one another. One of the first and second mating connectors includes an arc follower, and the other of the first and second mating connectors includes an arc interrupter. The arc interrupter is configured to receive the arc follower, and the first and second meting connectors are positionable in an disconnected position wherein the arc follower remains engaged to and is located within the arc interrupter. Arc energy is distributed among multiple locations to reduce arc intensity.
Claims33
An energized connector system, comprising:
- first and second mating connectors positionable relative to one another from a connected position to a disconnected position to thereby break an electrical connection under energized circuit conditions;
- and
- an actuating element configured to move the first and second mating connectors from the connected position to the disconnected position by moving the first mating connector relative to the second mating connector, the actuating element comprising telescoping members that extend relative to one another when the first and second mating connectors are moved from the connected position to the disconnected position,
- wherein substantially all arc energy generated during the disconnecting of the electrical connectors is maintained within the first and second mating connectors.
An energized connector system, comprising:
- first and second mating connector pairs positionable relative to one another from a connected position to a disconnected position to thereby break an electrical connection under energized circuit conditions;
- and
- an actuating element configured to position the first and second mating connector pairs from the connected position to the disconnected position by moving the first mating connector pair relative to the second mating connector pair, the actuating element comprising telescoping members that extend relative to one another when the first and second mating connector pairs are moved from the connected position to the disconnected position,
- wherein substantially all arc energy generated during the disconnecting of the electrical connector pairs is maintained within the first and second mating connectors.
An energized connector system, comprising:
- first and second mating connectors positionable relative to one another from a connected position to a disconnected position to thereby break an electrical connection under energized circuit conditions;
- and
- an actuating element configured to move the first and second mating connectors from the connected position to the disconnected position by moving the first mating connector relative to the second mating connector, the actuating element comprising a release element,
- wherein movement of at least a portion of the release element from a first position to a second position causes the actuating element to move the first and second mating connectors from the connected position to the disconnected position, and
- wherein substantially all arc energy generated during the disconnecting of the electrical connectors is maintained within the first and second mating connectors.
An energized connector system, comprising:
- first and second mating connector pairs positionable relative to one another from a connected position to a disconnected position to thereby break an electrical connection under energized circuit conditions;
- and
- an actuating element configured to position the first and second mating connector pairs from the connected position to the disconnected position by moving the first mating connector pair relative to the second mating connector pair, the actuating element comprising a release element,
- wherein movement of at least a portion of the release element from a first position to a second position causes the actuating element to move the first and second mating connector pairs from the connected position to the disconnected position, and
- wherein substantially all arc energy generated during the disconnecting of the electrical connector pairs is maintained within the first and second mating connectors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.