Connection system for heater strips
First Claim
1. An apparatus for electrically terminating at least two heater strips located on a support surface comprising:
- (a) a deformable, electrically non-conductive grommet assembly for each heater strip, each grommet assembly being sized to fit circumferentially around one of the heater strips, each grommet assembly being oriented so as to hold an end of a heater strip away from the support surface;
(b) chambers in a side by side relationship, one chamber for each grommet assembly, each chamber supporting and substantially completely surrounding a grommet assembly; and
(c) means for deforming the grommet assemblies so each grommet assembly substantially completely fills its corresponding chamber and tightly seals against its corresponding heater strip.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for electrically connecting a heater strip is described. The apparatus is characterized in that a deformable grommet assembly is placed around the heater strip, so that the grommet assembly can be deformed by a pressure plate so that it fits tightly against the heater strip. The grommet assembly can hold the heater strip away from a support surface of the pipe on which the heater strip is mounted and can hold the heater strip oriented perpendicularly relative to the support surface. A grounding plate can be provided for pressing a grounding element of the heater strip against the pressure plate.
An apparatus based on the same grommet assembly for electrically terminating a heater strip is also described.
25 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus for electrically terminating at least two heater strips located on a support surface comprising:
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(a) a deformable, electrically non-conductive grommet assembly for each heater strip, each grommet assembly being sized to fit circumferentially around one of the heater strips, each grommet assembly being oriented so as to hold an end of a heater strip away from the support surface; (b) chambers in a side by side relationship, one chamber for each grommet assembly, each chamber supporting and substantially completely surrounding a grommet assembly; and (c) means for deforming the grommet assemblies so each grommet assembly substantially completely fills its corresponding chamber and tightly seals against its corresponding heater strip. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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3. An apparatus for electrically terminating at least two heater strips located on a support surface comprising:
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(a) a deformable, electrically non-conductive grommet assembly for each heater strip, each grommet assembly being sized to fit circumferentially around one of the heater strips, each grommet assembly being oriented so as to hold an end of a heater strip away from the support surface; (b) chambers in a side-by-side relationship, one chamber for each grommet assembly, each chamber supporting and substantially completely surrounding a grommet assembly; and (c) a single pressure plate for deforming the grommet assemblies so each grommet assembly substantially completely fills its corresponding chamber and tightly seals against its corresponding heater strip.
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9. A housing for electrically connecting first and second heater strips on a pipe comprising:
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(a) a mounting bracket adapted to sit on the exterior surface of the pipe, the mounting bracket having at least two flanges extending axially along the exterior surface of the pipe for placement of clamping means on each flange and around the pipe for maintaining the mounting bracket in a selected position on the pipe, the mounting bracket having exit means for the heater strips, the exit means being oriented for maintaining the ends of the heater strips away from the surface of the pipe, the mounting bracket also having an entrance hole for each heater strip so that the heater strips can be inserted into the housing; (b) a first deformable, electrically non-conductive sealing means for placement around the first heater strip and a second deformable, electrically non-conductive sealing means for placement around the second heater strip, each sealing means having a hole therethrough aligned with the exit means through the mounting bracket, each hole through a sealing means corresponding to the size and shape of a heater strip; (c) elements defining a chamber for holding each of the sealing means in side-by-side relationship, the elements being supported by the mounting bracket; and (d) means for deforming each of the sealing means so that each sealing means substantially completely fills its chamber and tightly seals against its corresponding heater strip. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for electrically connecting first and second substantially flat heater strips mounted on a support surface, each heater strip having at least one conductor, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) selecting a housing comprising; (i) a mounting bracket adapted to sit on the exterior surface of the support surface, the mounting bracket having exit means for the heater strips, the exit means being oriented for maintaining the ends of the heater strips away from the support surface, the mounting bracket also having an entrance hole for each heater strip so that the heater strips can be inserted into the housing; (ii) a first deformable, electrically non-conductive sealing means for placement around the first heater strip and a second deformable, electrically non-conductive sealing means for placement around the second heater strip, each sealing means having a hole therethrough aligned with the exit means through the mounting bracket, each hole through a sealing means corresponding to the size and shape of a heater strip; (iii) elements defining a chamber for holding each of the sealing means in side-by-side relationship, the elements being supported by the mounting bracket; and (iv) means for deforming each of the sealing means so that each sealing means substantially completely fills its chamber and tightly seals against its corresponding heater strip; (b) bending each heater strip so that each extends substantially perpendicular to the support surface; (c) passing the bent heater strips through the exit means of the mounting bracket, through the chamber and through the sealing means of the housing; (d) placing the mounting bracket with the heater strips extending therethrough on the support surface; (e) deforming each sealing means so that each sealing means completely fills its chamber and seals tightly against the heater strip; and (f) electrically connecting each conductor of each heater strip. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification