Waterproof high voltage connector

• US 6,231,357 B1
• Filed: 06/20/2000
• Issued: 05/15/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Relight America Incorporated (Relight)
• Original Assignee: Relight America Incorporated (Relight)
• Inventors: Rumsey, Roger L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUONGCHI T
• Application Number:
  US09/596,974
• Time in Patent Office: 329 Days
• Field of Search: 439/95, 439/98, 439/99, 439/610, 439/101, 439/108, 439/939, 439/620
• US Class Current: 439/95
• 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

Abstract

For use with a flexible cable having a central current carrying electrical conductor, a symmetrical layer of insulation concentrically surrounding the central conductor, a symmetrical circumferential layer of shielding conductor surrounding the layer of insulation, and a symmetrical outer sheath of insulation surrounding the shielding conductor, a wiring system formed of a fitting of conductive material having a passageway therethrough that receives the flexible cable, a short length shield connector of bare conductive metal having a first portion inserted through an opening in the flexible cable outer sheath of insulation to conductively engage the cable circumferential layer of shielding conductor and having a second portion that remains exterior of the flexible cable outer sheath of insulation; and a short length electrically conductive tubular ground ring slidably received on the cable and overlying a portion of the shield connector, the ground ring being crimpable whereby when crimped it securely engages the exterior of the cable and the shield connector, the fitting being slidably positioned over the ground ring, continuity thereby being provided from the cable shielding conductor through the shield connector and the ground ring to the fitting.

Claims

1. A shielded wiring system for high voltage AC current comprising:

a flexible cable having a central current carrying electrical conductor, a symmetrical layer of insulation concentrically surrounding said central conductor, a symmetrical circumferential layer of shielding conductor surrounding said layer of insulation and a symmetrical outer sheath of insulation surrounding said shielding conductor;

a fitting of conductive material having a passageway therethrough that receives said flexible cable therein,

a short length shield connector of bare conductive metal having a first portion inserted through an opening in said flexible cable outer sheath of insulation to conductively engage said cable circumferential layer of shielding conductor and having a second portion that remains exterior of said flexible cable outer sheath of insulation; and

a short length electrically conductive tubular ground ring slidably received on said cable and overlying a portion of said shield connector, the ground ring being crimpable whereby when crimped it securely engages the exterior of said cable and said shield connector, said fitting being slidably positioned over said ground ring, continuity thereby being provided from said cable shielding conductor through said shield connector and said ground ring to said fitting.

2. A shielded wiring system for high voltage AC current according to claim 1 in which said fitting has an integral tubular portion providing a portion of said passageway that receives said cable, said second portion of said shield connector engaging said fitting integral tubular portion and said fitting integral tubular portion being compressible by means of crimping to thoroughly contact said shield connector and to thereby thoroughly ground said fitting to said cable circumferential layer of shielding conductor.

3. A shielded wiring system according to claim 1 wherein said passageway through said fitting has one portion of first internal diameter and a second portion of a second, enlarged internal diameter that slidably receives said ground ring.

4. A shielded wiring system according to claim 1 wherein said shield connector first portion is bent in U-shaped fashion to extend parallel to said second portion, the first portion being inserted through said opening in said flexible cable outer sheath of insulation to conductively engage said cable circumferential layer of shielding conductor.

5. A shielded wiring system according to claim 4 wherein said ground ring overlies both said shield connector first and second portions.