Data collecting connection

• US 8,002,592 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2009
• Issued: 08/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Inventors: Chadbourne, Christopher G., Crutcher, Bernard C.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THANH TAM T
• Application Number:
  US12/589,967
• Publication Number:
  US 20100151735A1
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 439/488, 439/489, 439783-785, 439/825, 439/851, 324/117.H, 324/117.R, 340/635, 174/845, 174/945
• US Class Current: 439/783
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/142 Arrangements for simultaneous measurements of several parameters employing techniques covered by groups G01R15/14 - G01R15/26
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/22 using light-emitting devices, e.g. LED, optocouplers G01R31/31901 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/665 with built-in electronic circuit H01R13/70, H01R13/719 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/5083 using a wedge
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an apparatus. The apparatus includes a first body, a second body, and an electronic circuit. The first body includes a first end, a second end, and a middle section. The first body further includes a first conductor receiving area and a recessed cavity. The first receiving area extends from the first end to the second end. The cavity is at the middle section. The second body is adapted to be removably connected to the first body. The second body includes a first end, a second end, and a second conductor receiving area. The second conductor receiving area extends from the first end to the second end. The apparatus is adapted to receive an electrical conductor between the first receiving area and the second receiving area. The electronic circuit is at the cavity. The electronic circuit is configured to receive reference information corresponding to the electrical conductor.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a first body comprising a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a middle section between the first end and the second end, wherein the first body further comprises a first conductor receiving area and a recessed cavity, wherein the first conductor receiving area extends from the first end to the second end, and wherein the recessed cavity is at the middle section;

a second body adapted to be removably connected to the first body, wherein the second body comprises a first end, a second end, and a second conductor receiving area, wherein the second end is opposite the first end, wherein the second conductor receiving area extends from the first end of the second body to the second end of the second body, and wherein the apparatus is adapted to receive an electrical conductor between the first conductor receiving area and the second conductor receiving area; and

an electronic circuit at the cavity, wherein the electronic circuit is configured to receive reference information corresponding to the electrical conductor.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the electronic circuit is configured to measure a voltage or a current of the electrical conductor.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a fiber optic cable connected to the electronic circuit.

4. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the second body is fastened to the first body.

5. An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a fiber optic cable connected to the electronic circuit, and wherein the electronic circuit is configured to measure a voltage or a current of the electrical conductor.

6. An apparatus as in claim 5 wherein the second body is fastened to the first body.

7. An apparatus as in claim 6 further comprising a plate member at the middle section, wherein the plate member covers the recessed cavity.

8. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the first body comprises an electrical wedge connector wedge member, and wherein the second body comprises an electrical wedge connector shell member.

9. An apparatus as in claim 8 wherein the wedge member is fastened to the shell member by a press fit or interference fit between the wedge member and the shell member.

10. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the first body comprises a suspension clamp upper body section, and wherein the second body comprises a suspension clamp lower body section.

11. An apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the suspension clamp upper body section is fastened to the suspension clamp lower body section by a threaded fastener.

12. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the electronic component is configured to sense a voltage of the electrical conductor in the range of about 5,000 volts to about 35,000 volts.

13. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the electronic component is configured to sense a voltage of the electrical conductor in the range of about 69,000 volts to about 765,000 volts.

14. An electrical wedge connector wedge comprising:

a first conductor groove adapted to receive a first conductor;

a second conductor groove opposite the first conductor groove, wherein the second conductor groove is adapted to receive a second conductor;

a middle section between the first conductor groove and the second conductor groove; and

at least one electronic component at the middle section, wherein the at least one electronic component is configured to monitor an electronic parameter of the first conductor;

wherein the electrical wedge connector wedge is adapted to be received by an electrical wedge connector shell.

15. An electrical wedge connector wedge as in claim 14 further comprising a printed wiring board at the middle section, wherein the electronic component is connected to the printed wiring board.

16. An electrical wedge connector wedge as in claim 15 further comprising an antenna connected to the printed wiring board.

17. An electrical wedge connector wedge as in claim 14 further comprising a conductive plate at the first conductor groove, wherein the conductive plate is electrically connected to the electronic component.

18. An electrical wedge connector wedge as in claim 14 further comprising a recessed cavity and a sensor lead, wherein the recessed cavity is at the middle section, wherein the electronic component is in the recessed cavity, and wherein the sensor lead extends from the recessed cavity to the first conductor groove.

19. An electrical wedge connector wedge as in claim 14 wherein the electronic component is configured to monitor a voltage or a current of the first conductor.

20. An electrical wedge connector comprising:

a C-shaped shell member; and

an electrical wedge connector wedge as in claim 14, wherein the wedge is insertable into the C-shaped shell member.

21. A conductor suspension clamp comprising:

a lower section comprising a lower groove portion, wherein the lower section is adapted to be connected to a transmission tower;

an upper section comprising a first member and a second member, wherein the first member comprises an upper groove portion and a cavity, wherein the conductor suspension clamp is adapted to receive an electrical conductor between the lower groove portion and the upper groove portion, and wherein at least a portion of the second member is at the cavity; and

an electronic component proximate the cavity, wherein the electronic component is configured to monitor a parameter of the electrical conductor.

22. A conductor suspension clamp as in claim 21 further comprising an electronic circuit at the cavity, wherein the electronic component is connected to the electronic circuit.

23. A conductor suspension clamp as in claim 22 further comprising an accelerometer, wherein the accelerometer is connected to the electronic circuit, and wherein the accelerometer is configured to derive a vibration reference from the electrical conductor.

24. A conductor suspension clamp as in claim 21 further comprising a faraday cage, wherein the faraday cage surrounds the cavity, and wherein the faraday cage is configured to derive a voltage reference from the electrical conductor.

25. A conductor suspension clamp as in claim 21 further comprising a thermocouple at the first member, wherein the thermocouple is configured to derive a temperature reference from the electrical conductor.

26. A conductor suspension clamp as in claim 21 further comprising a photo transistor, wherein the photo transistor is at the first member, and wherein the photo transistor is configured to provide an optical reference corresponding to the conductor suspension clamp.

27. A conductor suspension clamp as in claim 21 further comprising a bracket, wherein one end of the bracket is connected to the lower section, and wherein another end of the bracket is adapted to be connected to the transmission tower.

28. A method of manufacturing an electrical based apparatus comprising:

providing a first body having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a middle section between the first end and the second end, wherein the first body is adapted to be connected to a second body with a conductor therebetween;

providing a first conductor contact surface at a side of the first body between the first end and the second end;

forming a cavity at the middle section;

installing an electronic component proximate the cavity, wherein the electronic component is configured to monitor a parameter of the conductor; and

providing a plate member at the middle section, wherein the plate member covers the cavity.

29. A method as in claim 28 further comprising installing an electronic circuit at the cavity, wherein the electronic circuit is connected to the electronic component, and wherein the plate member covers the electronic circuit.

30. A method as in claim 29 further comprising connecting a fiber optic cable to the electronic circuit.

31. A method as in claim 28 further comprising fastening the second body to the first body.

32. A method as in claim 31 wherein the fastening of the second body to the first body further comprises fastening an electrical wedge connector shell member to an electrical wedge connector wedge member with a press fit configuration.

33. A method as in claim 31 wherein the fastening of the second body to the first body further comprises fastening a suspension clamp lower body section to a suspension clamp upper body section with a threaded fastener.

34. A method as in claim 31 wherein the second body is adapted to be connected to another conductor.

35. A method as in claim 31 wherein the second body is adapted to be connected to a transmission tower.

36. A method as in claim 28 further comprising connecting a sensor lead at the first body, wherein the sensor lead extends between the first conductor contact surface and the cavity.

37. A method as in claim 28 further comprising connecting a bracket to the apparatus, wherein the bracket extends substantially perpendicular to the first conductor contact surface, wherein the conductor is a transmission conductor, and wherein the apparatus is adapted to suspend the transmission conductor from a transmission tower.