Electrical connectors and methods for using same
First Claim
1. An electrical connector for forming a mechanical and electrical coupling with an electrical conductor, the electrical connector comprising:
- a tubular housing having a connector axis, the housing defining a conductor receiving opening and an interior cavity each configured to receive the conductor along the connector axis;
at least one jaw member configured to clamp the conductor within the interior cavity;
a sealant containment membrane disposed in the interior cavity and defining a sealant chamber; and
a sealant contained in the sealant chamber in the interior cavity to environmentally protect an electrical contact engagement between the conductor and the electrical connector when the conductor is clamped in the interior cavity by the at least one jaw member;
wherein the at least one jaw member includes at least one piercing feature configured to pierce the sealant containment membrane when the at least one jaw member clamps the conductor within the interior cavity.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical connector for forming a mechanical and electrical coupling with an electrical conductor includes a tubular housing, at least one jaw member, a sealant containment membrane, and a sealant. The tubular housing has a connector axis. The housing defines a conductor receiving opening and an interior cavity each configured to receive the conductor along the connector axis. The at least one jaw member is configured to clamp the conductor within the interior cavity. The sealant containment membrane is disposed in the interior cavity and defines a sealant chamber. The sealant is contained in the sealant chamber in the interior cavity to environmentally protect an electrical contact engagement between the conductor and the electrical connector when the conductor is clamped in the interior cavity by the at least one jaw member.
51 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An electrical connector for forming a mechanical and electrical coupling with an electrical conductor, the electrical connector comprising:
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a tubular housing having a connector axis, the housing defining a conductor receiving opening and an interior cavity each configured to receive the conductor along the connector axis; at least one jaw member configured to clamp the conductor within the interior cavity; a sealant containment membrane disposed in the interior cavity and defining a sealant chamber; and a sealant contained in the sealant chamber in the interior cavity to environmentally protect an electrical contact engagement between the conductor and the electrical connector when the conductor is clamped in the interior cavity by the at least one jaw member; wherein the at least one jaw member includes at least one piercing feature configured to pierce the sealant containment membrane when the at least one jaw member clamps the conductor within the interior cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for forming a mechanical and electrical coupling with an electrical conductor, the method comprising:
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providing an electrical connector including; a tubular housing having a connector axis, the housing defining a conductor receiving opening and an interior cavity each configured to receive the conductor along the connector axis; at least one jaw member configured to clamp the conductor within the interior cavity; a sealant containment membrane disposed in the interior cavity and defining a sealant chamber; and a sealant contained in the sealant chamber in the interior cavity to environmentally protect an electrical contact engagement between the conductor and the electrical connector; inserting the conductor into the interior cavity through the conductor receiving opening; clamping the conductor within the interior cavity using the at least one jaw member; and environmentally protecting an electrical contact engagement between the conductor and the electrical connector with the sealant when the conductor is clamped in the interior cavity by the at least one jaw member; wherein the at least one jaw member includes at least one piercing feature that pierces the sealant containment membrane when the at least one jaw member clamps the conductor within the interior cavity. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification