Encapsulated conductor junction
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A conductor junction utilizing a non-wrenchable split bolt electrical connector electrically interconnecting the metallic shielding shrouds of a plurality of conductors comprising:
- a pair of mated threaded parts each lacking wrench engaging surfaces and including a threaded ring and a shank, said shank being threaded and having a deep slot axially thereof and opening through its threaded end, said slot receiving and firmly seating the shielded shrouds of a plurality of conductors between the inner end of said slot and the adjacent inner face of said threaded ring, the periphery of said threaded ring being roughened to facilitate gripping the same between the user'"'"''"'"'s thumb and forefinger to tighten the same to the extent possible by an operator'"'"''"'"'s finger and without risk of damage to said shielding shrouds, said threaded ring being tightened on said threaded shank gripping the shielding shrouds between the inner end of said slot and the adjacent face of said threaded ring, and said tightened threaded parts and the adjacent portions of said sheathed conductors being embedded in solidified potting compound effective to isolate said threaded parts from contact with conductive objects and effective to lock said threaded parts against loosening despite vibration and temperature changes.
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Abstract
An encapsulated junction for a plurality of shielded conductors or cables wherein the shielding shrouds are held in firm electrical contact by non-wrenchable split bolt connector means. This assembly is further protected and safeguarded against loosening by a surrounding mass of solid potting compound.
55 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A conductor junction utilizing a non-wrenchable split bolt electrical connector electrically interconnecting the metallic shielding shrouds of a plurality of conductors comprising:
- a pair of mated threaded parts each lacking wrench engaging surfaces and including a threaded ring and a shank, said shank being threaded and having a deep slot axially thereof and opening through its threaded end, said slot receiving and firmly seating the shielded shrouds of a plurality of conductors between the inner end of said slot and the adjacent inner face of said threaded ring, the periphery of said threaded ring being roughened to facilitate gripping the same between the user'"'"''"'"'s thumb and forefinger to tighten the same to the extent possible by an operator'"'"''"'"'s finger and without risk of damage to said shielding shrouds, said threaded ring being tightened on said threaded shank gripping the shielding shrouds between the inner end of said slot and the adjacent face of said threaded ring, and said tightened threaded parts and the adjacent portions of said sheathed conductors being embedded in solidified potting compound effective to isolate said threaded parts from contact with conductive objects and effective to lock said threaded parts against loosening despite vibration and temperature changes.
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2. A conductor junction as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision of a protective housing surrounding said potting compound and including openings through the wall thereof through which said shielded conductors extend and within which said conductors are sealed by said potting compound.
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3. A conductor junction as defined in claim 2 charaCterized in that said protective housing includes a tubular main body having an opening through the sidewall thereof to receive said potting compound therethrough, and sleeve means having a loose fit about said tubular housing and having an opening rotatable into and out of alignment with said first mentioned opening, said housing being charged with said potting compound and the opening of said sleeve means being rotatable out of registry with said opening through said tubular body with said potting compound sealing said sleeve means closed and against rotation.
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4. A conductor junction as defined in claim 1 characterized in that a grounding conductor for the shielding shrouds of said conductors is clamped in electrical conducting contact with a surface of said split bolt connector and has the adjacent portion thereof bonded to said potting compound thereby safeguarding the same against disruption of its electrical contact with said split bolt connector.
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5. An encapsulated splice assembly comprising a tubular housing enclosing a splice junction between the ends of a pair of shielded cables projecting from the ends of said tubular housing, the overlapped ends of the shields of said cables being clamped in firm electrical contact with one another by non-wrenchable split bolt connector means having mated threaded parts tightened against said overlapped shielded cable ends solely by finger power, and the major portion of said housing being charged with potting compound to a level above said splice and embedding said connector means to lock the parts thereof positively against loosening.
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6. An encapsulated splice assembly as defined in claim 5 characterized in that said tubular housing includes separate end caps having a snug fit with the opposite ends thereof and including nipples integral therewith and closed at one end, the ends of certain of said nipples being severed and snugly embracing a respective one of said shielded cables at its point of entry into said housing, and said potting compound being effective to seal said housing and said cables to said end caps.
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7. That method of making a shake-proof electrical grounding connection with the conductive shielding shroud of cabling which comprises:
- removing a length of the insulative sheath of cabling to expose a short length of the underlying conductive shielding shroud, inserting the exposed shroud crosswise of the threaded shank of a non-wrenchable split bolt connector, clamping the exposed end of a grounding conductor against said shielding shroud, tightening the connector nut solely by finger pressure to clamp said cabling and conductor tightly in said connector and in electrical conducting contact, and encapsulating said connector and the adjacent portions of said grounding conductor and cabling in initially fluent but settable potting compound to isolate said connector from contact with foreign bodies and to lock said split bolt connector against loosening.
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8. That method defined in claim 7 characterized by the step of overlapping and clamping together the exposed shielding shrouds of a plurality of cabling ends by said split bolt connector before encapsulating the same in said potting compound.
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9. That method defined in claim 8 characterized in the step of substantially enclosing the clamped ends of said cabling and said grounding conductor with a protective casing and then filling the latter with said initially fluent but settable potting compound.
Specification