Cable connection device

• US 10,027,071 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2014
• Issued: 07/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Gravermann, Mark, Busemann, Friedrich A., Lohmeier, Gerhard, Weichold, Jens, Schubert, Bernd, Bolcato, Giuliano, Roehling, Werner, Petry, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Tulsidas C
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, TRAVIS SLOAN
• Application Number:
  US14/898,801
• Publication Number:
  US 20160134065A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,489 Days
• Field of Search: 439578, 439181, 439854, 439921, 439 13, 439 14
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/53 Bases or cases for heavy duty; Bases or cases for high voltage with means for preventing corona or arcing
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6683 with built-in sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2101/00 One pole
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/38 having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/04 Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle with frictional contact members
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 39/64 Devices for uninterrupted current collection
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/16 for manufacturing contact members, e.g. by punching and by bending
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/14 for joining or terminating cables
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 15/103 with devices for relieving electrical stress

Abstract

Cable connection device for connecting a power cable to an electrical installation of a power network, comprising a conductor element having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion disposed between the first and the second end portion. The conductor element comprises a connector socket arranged at the first end portion, for mating with a cable plug. The connector socket is integrally formed with the middle portion.

Claims

1. Cable connection device for connecting a power cable to an electrical installation of a power network, the cable connection device comprising a conductor element having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion,

wherein the conductor element comprises a connector socket, arranged at the first end portion, for mating with a cable plug,

characterized by the connector socket being integrally formed with the middle portion,

wherein the connector socket further includes a plurality of electrically conductive lamellae for engaging in the cable plug within the connector socket and to maintain electrical contact during rotation of the cable plug.

2. Cable connection device according to claim 1, comprising an electrically conductive or semiconductive cage electrode, arranged around at least a portion of the connector socket.

3. Cable connection device according to claim 1, wherein the connector socket is adapted such that the cable plug, when mated with the connector socket, can be rotated relative to the connector socket.

4. Cable connection device according to claim 1, wherein the connector socket is adapted to be permanently mated with the cable plug by inserting the cable plug into the connector socket.

5. Cable connection device according to claim 1, wherein the connector socket defines an insertion direction for a cable plug, and in which the extension of the middle portion of the conductor element, in the insertion direction, is less than half of the extension of the connector socket, in the insertion direction.

6. The cable connection device according to claim 1, wherein the second end portion is configured to form a cable lug.

7. Cable connection device according to claim 1, comprising attachment means, arranged at the second end portion of the conductor element, for attaching the cable connection device to the electrical installation.

8. Cable connection device according to claim 7, wherein the attachment means is/are integrally formed with the middle portion.

9. Cable connection device according to claim 1, comprising a jacket, arranged around at least a part of the middle portion and at least a part of the first end portion.

10. Cable connection device according to claim 9, wherein the jacket comprises a cover portion extending axially beyond the first end portion of the conductor element.

11. Cable connection device according to claim 9, wherein the jacket comprises an electrically insulating layer.

12. Cable connection device according to claim 1, comprising a sensing electrode, operable as an electrode of a sensing capacitor for sensing a voltage of the power-carrying conductor of the power cable.

13. Cable connection device according to claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the sensing electrode is arranged radially outward of at least a portion of the connector socket.

14. Cable assembly, comprising

a cable connection device according to claim 1,

a power cable having a power-carrying conductor and an insulating layer, arranged around the power-carrying conductor,

a cable plug, attached to an end of the power-carrying conductor of the cable and mated with the connector socket of the cable connection device.

15. Power network for distributing electrical power at electrical current levels of at least 50 Ampere, comprising a cable assembly according to claim 14.

16. Method of connecting a power cable to an electrical installation of a power network, comprising, in this sequence, the steps of

a) providing a power cable having a power-carrying conductor and a cable plug attached to an end of the power-carrying conductor;

b) providing a cable connection device comprising a conductor element having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the conductor element comprises a connector socket, arranged at the first end portion, for mating with the cable plug, and wherein the connector socket is integrally formed with the middle portion, wherein the connector socket further includes a plurality of electrically conductive lamellae for engaging in the cable plug within the connector socket and to maintain electrical contact during rotation of the cable plug;

c) mating the cable plug with the connector socket.