# US 9,437,374 B2 · Automated grounding device with visual indication > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,437,374 B2 - Document ID: US9437374B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/242,978 - Filed: 2014-04-02 - Published: 2014-11-27 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-05-24 - Assignees: Thomas & Betts International, Inc. - Applicants: Thomas & Betts International, Inc. - Inventors: Larry N. Siebens - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9437374B2 ## CPC - H01H 9/12: Means for earthing parts of switch not normally conductively connected to the contacts - H01H 9/16: Indicators for switching condition, e.g. "on" or "off" - H01H 31/003: {Earthing switches (H01H31/02 - H01H31/26 take precedence; contact made by liquid jet H01H29/32; for substations H02B1/16, H02B5/01; for withdrawable switchgear H02B11/28; for gas-insulated switchgear H02B13/075)} - H01R 13/53: Bases or cases for heavy duty; Bases or cases {for high voltage} with means for preventing corona or arcing - G01R 15/16: using capacitive devices - H01H 2009/0292: {Transparent window or opening, e.g. for allowing visual inspection of contact position or contact condition} - H01R 31/02: Intermediate parts for distributing energy to two or more circuits in parallel, e.g. splitter (with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/92) - Y10T 29/49105: Switch making - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A grounding device for switchgear includes a connector and a body. The body includes (1) a male interface portion including an electrically conductive bus with a first bore and a spade connector; (2) a conductive housing including a second bore that is axially aligned with the first bore, and a grounding terminal to receive a grounding wire; (3) a pin assembly including a non-conductive tip, and a conductive pin, wherein the pin assembly is configured to move axially within the first and second bores between a closed position that provides an electrical connection between the bus and the conductive housing and an open position that provides no electrical connection; (4) a communications receptacle to receive signals from a controller outside the device body; and (5) a motor configured to selectively drive the pin assembly between the open position and the closed position, based on a signal from the controller. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A grounding device, comprising: a device body including: a male interface portion including a bus having a first bore and a spade connector; a conductive housing including: a second bore that is axially aligned with the first bore, and an opening for a grounding terminal to receive a grounding wire; a pin assembly including: a non-conductive tip, and a conductive pin, wherein the pin assembly is configured to move axially within the first and second bores between a closed position that provides an electrical connection between the bus and the conductive housing and an open position that provides no electrical connection between the bus and the conductive housing; an internal chamber around a portion of the pin assembly and formed within the male interface portion and the conductive housing, wherein a solid or semi-solid dielectric insulating material is sealed within the internal chamber to prevent voltage arcing when the pin assembly is in the open position; and a motor configured to selectively drive the pin assembly between the open position and the closed position, based on a signal from a controller, and a device connector including: a first connector end configured to receive the male interface portion; and a second connector end configured to receive a bushing for a piece of electrical equipment. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The grounding device of claim 1, wherein the grounding device is configured for a 25,000 Amp momentary current rating. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The grounding device of claim 1, wherein the device body further comprises a voltage sensor in communication with the controller, and wherein the controller does not provide a signal to drive the pin assembly from the open position to the closed position unless the voltage sensor indicates that no voltage is present. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The grounding device of claim 1, wherein the device body further comprises a micro-switch to govern a travel distance that the motor drives the pin assembly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The grounding device of claim 1, wherein the controller is located outside the device body, and wherein the device body further comprises a communication receptacle to provide signals from the controller to the motor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The grounding device of claim 1, wherein the device body further comprises a viewing lens to display a portion of the pin assembly; and wherein the non-conductive tip of the pin assembly is color-coded with a first color to indicate the open position, and the conductive pin includes a color-coded band of a second color to indicate the closed position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The grounding device of claim 6, wherein the viewing lens is installed between the male interface portion and the conductive housing to display a portion of the pin assembly as the pin assembly moves axially past the viewing lens. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The grounding device of claim 6, wherein the solid or semi-solid dielectric insulating material permits outside visibility of the first color or the second color through the viewing lens. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The grounding device of claim 8, wherein the dielectric insulating material includes a silicone gel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The grounding device of claim 8, wherein the grounding device is configured for a 25,000 Amp momentary current rating, and wherein a distance between the conductive pin and the bus, when the pin assembly is in the open position, is less than 3 inches. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The grounding device of claim 1, wherein the second connector end is formed with an axial direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the first connector end; wherein the device connector further comprises a third connector end formed substantially in line with the axial direction of the second connector end and configured to receive an insulating plug; wherein the spade connector includes a third bore therethrough; wherein the bushing includes a female threaded opening; wherein the insulating plug includes a threaded stud; and wherein the device connector is configured to align the third bore, the female threaded opening, and the threaded stud along the axial direction of the second connector end. ### Claim 12 A grounding device body, comprising: a male interface portion including an electrically conductive bus with a first bore open to one end and a spade connector on an opposite end; a conductive housing including: a second bore that is axially aligned with the first bore, and an opening for a grounding terminal to receive a grounding wire; a pin assembly including: a non-conductive tip, and a conductive pin, wherein the pin assembly is configured to move axially within the first and second bores between a closed position that provides an electrical connection between the bus and the conductive housing and an open position that provides no electrical connection between the bus and the conductive housing; an internal chamber around a portion of the pin assembly and formed within the male interface portion and the conductive housing, wherein a solid or semi-solid dielectric insulating material is sealed within the internal chamber to prevent voltage arcing when the pin assembly is in the open position; a communications receptacle to receive signals from a controller outside the device body; and a motor configured to selectively drive the pin assembly between the open position and the closed position, based on a signal from the controller. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The grounding device of claim 12, further comprising: a first micro-switch to signal to the controller when the pin assembly is in an open position; and a second micro-switch to signal to the controller when the pin assembly is in a closed position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The grounding device of claim 12, further comprising: a viewing lens to display a portion of the pin assembly that is positioned in view of the viewing lens, wherein the non-conductive tip includes a first color that is visible through the viewing lens when the pin assembly is in the open position, and wherein the conductive pin includes a second color that is visible through the viewing lens when the pin assembly is in the closed position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The grounding device of claim 14, wherein the dielectric insulating material permits outside visibility of the first color or the second color through the viewing lens. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The grounding device of claim 12, wherein the grounding device is configured for a 25,000 Amp momentary current rating, and wherein a distance between the conductive pin and the bus, when the pin assembly is in the open position, is approximately two inches. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The grounding device of claim 15, wherein the dielectric insulating material includes a silicone gel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The grounding device of claim 12, wherein the male interface portion is configured to be received within a female opening of an elbow connector. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The grounding device of claim 12, wherein the device body further comprises a voltage sensor in communication with the controller. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The grounding device of claim 12, wherein the solid or semi-solid silicone material adheres to a surface of the pin assembly within the internal chamber to inhibit voltage arcing across a surface of the non-conductive tip when the pin assembly is in the open position.