Separable loadbreak connector and system with shock absorbent fault closure stop
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A separable loadbreak connector, comprising:
- a contact tube having an axial passage therethrough;
a contact member slidably mounted within the axial passage and movable therein during a fault closure condition;
a shock absorbent stop element mounted to the contact tube and limiting movement of the contact member in the fault closure condition, anda piston mounted the passage,wherein the contact member is fixedly mounted to the piston movable therewith,wherein the stop element is positionable to engage the piston in the fault closure condition to thereby limit movement of the contact member, andwherein the stop element comprises a material that deforms when contacted by the contact member during the fault closure condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A separable loadbreak connector and system includes a connector having a contact tube with an axial passage therethrough, and a contact member slidably mounted within the axial passage and movable therein during a fault closure condition. The contact member is axially movable within the passage with the assistance of an arc quenching gas during the fault closure condition, and a shock absorbent stop element is mounted to the contact tube and limiting movement of the contact member in the fault closure condition.
246 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A separable loadbreak connector, comprising:
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a contact tube having an axial passage therethrough; a contact member slidably mounted within the axial passage and movable therein during a fault closure condition; a shock absorbent stop element mounted to the contact tube and limiting movement of the contact member in the fault closure condition, and a piston mounted the passage, wherein the contact member is fixedly mounted to the piston movable therewith, wherein the stop element is positionable to engage the piston in the fault closure condition to thereby limit movement of the contact member, and wherein the stop element comprises a material that deforms when contacted by the contact member during the fault closure condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A separable loadbreak connector for making or breaking an energized connection in a power distribution network, comprising:
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a conductive contact tube having an axial passage therethrough; an elastomeric insulation surrounding the contact tube; a conductive piston disposed within the axial passage and displaceable therein; a female contact member mounted stationary to the piston; and a shock absorbent stop element within the axial passage and restricting displacement of the piston, wherein the stop element comprises a material that deforms when contacted by the female contact member during a fault closure condition. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A separable loadbreak connector to make or break a medium voltage connection with a male contact of a mating connector in a power distribution network, the separable loadbreak connector comprising:
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a conductive contact tube having an axial passage therethrough; an elastomeric insulation surrounding the contact tube; a conductive piston disposed within the passage and displaceable therein; a loadbreak female contact member mounted stationary to the piston; an arc interrupter adjacent the female contact member and movable therewith; and a nonconductive nosepiece coupled to the contact tube and including an integrally-formed, shock absorbent stop ring at one end thereof, the stop ring placed in a path of the piston limiting movement of the piston relative to the contact tube in a fault closure condition, wherein the stop ring comprises a material that deforms when contacted by the contact member during the fault closure condition. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A separable loadbreak connector system to make or break an energized connection in a power distribution network, the system comprising:
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a male connector having a male contact; and a female loadbreak connector comprising; a conductive contact tube having an axial passage therethrough; an elastomeric insulation surrounding the contact tube; a conductive piston disposed within the passage; a loadbreak female contact member mounted stationary to the piston and configured to receive the male contact when the male and female connectors are mated, the female contact member and the piston axially displaceable within the contact passage toward the male contact in a fault closure condition; an arc interrupter adjacent the female contact member and movable therewith; and a shock absorbent stop element configured to absorb impact of the piston during the fault closure condition and substantially prevent displacement of the piston beyond a predetermined distance within the contact tube, wherein the stop element comprises a material that deforms when contacted by the contact member during the fault closure condition. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A separable loadbreak connector for making or breaking an energized connection in a power distribution network, comprising:
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a conductive contact tube having an axial passage therethrough; an elastomeric insulation surrounding the contact tube; a conductive piston disposed within the passage and displaceable therein; a female contact member mounted stationary to the piston; and a shock absorbent stop element within the axial passage and restricting displacement of the piston, wherein the stop element is fabricated from a nonconductive compressible material.
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31. A separable loadbreak connector to make or break a medium voltage connection with a male contact of a mating connector in a power distribution network, the separable loadbreak connector comprising:
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a conductive contact tube having an axial passage therethrough; an elastomeric insulation surrounding the contact tube; a conductive piston disposed within the passage and displaceable therein; a loadbreak female contact member mounted stationary to the piston; an arc interrupter adjacent the female contact member and movable therewith; and a nonconductive nosepiece coupled to the contact tube and including an integrally-formed, shock absorbent stop ring at one end thereof, the stop ring placed in a path of the piston, limiting movement of the piston relative to the contact tube in a fault closure condition, wherein the nosepiece is fabricated from a compressible material.
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32. A separable loadbreak connector system to make or break an energized connection in a power distribution network, the system comprising:
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a male connector having a male contact; and a female loadbreak connector comprising; a conductive contact tube having an axial passage therethrough; an elastomeric insulation surrounding the contact tube; a conductive piston disposed within the passage; a loadbreak female contact member mounted stationary to the piston and configured to receive the male contact when the male and female connectors are mated, the female contact member and the piston axially displaceable within the contact passage toward the male contact in a fault closure condition; an arc interrupter adjacent the female contact member and movable therewith; and a shock absorbent stop element configured to absorb impact of the piston during the fault closure condition and substantially prevent displacement of the piston beyond a predetermined distance within the contact tube, wherein the stop element is fabricated from a nonconductive compressible material.
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Specification