Dual interface separable insulated connector with overmolded faraday cage

• US 7,578,682 B1
• Filed: 02/25/2008
• Issued: 08/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Gebhard, Michael John Sr., Hughes, David Charles, Kadow, Mark Clifford
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams; Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUONGCHI T
• Application Number:
  US12/072,164
• Publication Number:
  US 20090221163A1
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• Field of Search: 439/606, 439/181, 439/921, 439183-185, 439/137, 439/148, 439/604, 439/89, 439/511
• US Class Current: 439/89
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2085/0225 Means for preventing discharge, e.g. corona ring
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0207 Adjustable mounting of casings
• 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: H02G 15/06 Cable terminating boxes, frames or other structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/921 Transformer bushing type or high voltage underground connector

Abstract

A dual interface separable insulated connector comprising a faraday cage molded over a bus bar for use in an electric power system and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The faraday cage can be disposed within a semi-conductive shell. The configuration of the separable insulated connector can provide for easier bonding between the faraday cage and insulating material. Additionally, the configuration can eliminate or reduce the need to coat the bus bar with an adhesive agent and to smooth the metal bus bar to remove burrs, other irregularities, and sharp corners from the bar. Manufacturing the dual interface separable insulated connector can include molding a semi-conductive rubber faraday cage over a conductive bus bar, inserting the faraday cage into a shell, and injecting insulating material between the faraday cage and shell.

Claims

1. A separable insulated connector, comprising:

a shell;

a faraday cage disposed within the shell; and

a conductive bus bar entirely disposed within the faraday cage,

wherein the shell comprises a first opening and a second opening,

wherein the faraday cage comprises a semi-conductive rubber housing, the semi-conductive rubber housing comprising a first cup and a second cup,

wherein the bus bar comprises a first hole and a second hole,

wherein the first opening is aligned with the first cup and the first hole, and

wherein the second opening is aligned with the second cup and the second hole.

2. The separable insulated connector of claim 1, wherein the conductive bus bar is in contact with the semi-conductive rubber housing.

3. The separable insulated connector of claim 1, wherein the shell comprises semi-conductive rubber.

4. The separable insulated connector of claim 1, wherein the shell comprises a mixture comprising ethylene propylene dienemonomer rubber and a conductive material.

5. The separable insulated connector of claim 1, further comprising:

a first cup insulating layer disposed within the first cup of the housing; and

a second cup insulating layer disposed within the second cup of the housing.

6. The separable insulated connector of claim 1, wherein the separable insulated connector further comprises:

a first probe inserted into the first hole of the bus bar; and

a second probe inserted into the second hole of the bus bar,

wherein an electrical connection exists between the first probe and the second probe.

7. The separable insulated connector of claim 6, wherein the bus bar provides the electrical connection between the first probe and the second probe.

8. The separable insulated connector of claim 1, further comprising a pulling eye coupled to the connector.

9. The separable insulated connector of claim 1, wherein the conductive bus bar is in contact with the semi-conductive rubber housing.

10. The separable insulated connector of claim 1, further comprising an insulating layer between the shell and the faraday cage.

11. The separable insulated connector of claim 10, wherein the insulating layer comprises rubber.

12. The separable insulated connector of claim 10, wherein the insulating layer comprises ethylene propylene dienemonomer rubber.

13. The separable insulated connector of claim 1, further comprising:

a first insulating sleeve; and

a second insulating sleeve,

wherein the first insulating sleeve is disposed around the first opening of the shell, and

wherein the second insulating sleeve is disposed around the second opening of the shell.

14. The separable insulated connector of claim 13, wherein the first insulating sleeve comprises rubber, and

wherein the second insulating sleeve comprises rubber.

15. The separable insulated connector of claim 13, wherein the first insulating sleeve comprises ethylene propylene dienemonomer rubber, and

wherein the second insulating sleeve comprises ethylene propylene dienemonomer rubber.