Connectors for power distribution cables
First Claim
1. An electrically conductive connector for electrical conductors comprising:
- (a) at least one metallic tubular sleeve having an open end for receiving an electrical conductor and a closed end, the peripheral inner wall of the sleeve being pretinned, the sleeve being sized to receive a slug of solder therein proximate to the closed end; and
(b) means within the sleeve for pressuring the slug of solder toward the open end of the sleeve to fill the space between the conductor and the sleeve with solder at Tm, the temperature at which the slug of solder melts.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Connectors for terminating and splicing high voltage power cables comprise a metallic tubular sleeve having an open end for receiving an electrical conductor and a closed end. The inner wall of the sleeve is pretinned. The sleeve can be provided with a slug of solder proximate to the closed end. A connection is made by inserting the conductor into the sleeve, heating the solder, and as the solder melts, relatively moving the connector and the conductor toward each other. The connector can be provided with an insert to accommoduate conductors that are non-circular in cross-section.
The connector can be provided with means for pressuring the slug of solder toward the open end of the sleeve at the temperature at which the slug of solder melts. With this connector, no relative movement between the conductor and the connector is required. Merely by melting the solder, the means for pressuring causes the solder to extrude around the conductor.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. An electrically conductive connector for electrical conductors comprising:
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(a) at least one metallic tubular sleeve having an open end for receiving an electrical conductor and a closed end, the peripheral inner wall of the sleeve being pretinned, the sleeve being sized to receive a slug of solder therein proximate to the closed end; and (b) means within the sleeve for pressuring the slug of solder toward the open end of the sleeve to fill the space between the conductor and the sleeve with solder at Tm, the temperature at which the slug of solder melts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for connecting an electrical conductor comprising:
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(a) selecting an electrically conductive connector comprising; (i) at least one metallic tubular sleeve having an open end for receiving an electrical conductor and a closed end, the peripheral inner wall of the sleeve being pretinned; (ii) a slug of solder in the sleeve proximate to the closed end of the sleeve; and (iii) means within the sleeve for pressuring the slug of solder towards the open end of the sleeve to fill the space between the conductor and the sleeve with solder at Tm, the temperature at which the slug of solder melts; (b) placing an electrical conductor into the sleeve; (c) heating the solder to at least Tm while simultaneously maintaining the conductor in the sleeve against the force of the pressuring means, the pressuring means forcing the molten solder towards the open end of the sleeve to fill the space between the conductor and the sleeve with solder; and (d) cooling the connector and conductor. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A kit of parts for forming an electrically conductive connection with an electrical conductor comprising:
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(a) an electrically conductive connector comprising at least one metallic tubular sleeve having an open end for receiving an electrical conductor and a closed end, the peripheral inner wall of the sleeve being pretinned; and (b) at least one metallic tubular insert sized to be rotatably positioned in the sleeve, the inside wall of the insert being pretinned and non-circular in transverse cross-section. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. An electrically conductive connector for an electrical conductor comprising:
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(a) at least one metallic tubular sleeve having an open end for receiving an electrical conductor and a closed end, the peripheral inner wall of the sleeve being pretinned; (b) a slug of solder in the sleeve proximate to the closed end of the sleeve; and (c) a metallic tubular insert rotatably positioned in the sleeve, the periphral inner wall of the insert being pretinned and non-circular in transverse cross-section. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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29. A method for splicing first and second electrical conductors together comprising the steps of:
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(a) selecting an electrically conductive connector comprising; (i) first and second metallic sleeves in electrically conductive connection with each other, each sleeve having an open end for receiving a conductor and a closed end, the peripheral inner wall of each sleeve being pretinned; (ii) a slug of solder in each sleeve proximate to the closed end of the sleeve; and (iii) at least within the second sleeve, means for pressuring the slug of solder towards the open end of the sleeve to fill the space between the conductor and the sleeve with solder at Tm, the temperature at which the slug of solder in the second sleeve melts; (b) connecting the first conductor to the connector by placing the first conductor in the first sleeve and heating the first sleeve to a temperature sufficiently high to melt the slug of solder in the first sleeve; and (c) connecting the second conductor to the connector by placing the second conductor in the second sleeve, heating the slug of solder in the second sleeve to at least Tm while simultaneously maintaining the second conductor in the second sleeve against the force of the pressuring means, the pressuring means forcing the molten solder toward the open end of the sleeve to fill the space between the second conductor and the second sleeve with solder.
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Specification