EP3499646A1 - Electrical connector and connector system using the same - Google Patents
Electrical connector and connector system using the same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3499646A1 EP3499646A1 EP17306775.2A EP17306775A EP3499646A1 EP 3499646 A1 EP3499646 A1 EP 3499646A1 EP 17306775 A EP17306775 A EP 17306775A EP 3499646 A1 EP3499646 A1 EP 3499646A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- connector
- blind
- bores
- conductor
- threaded
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 143
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 48
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims description 18
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 9
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 12
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008595 infiltration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001764 infiltration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013521 mastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005012 migration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013508 migration Methods 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
- H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
- H01R4/30—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a screw or nut clamping member
- H01R4/36—Conductive members located under tip of screw
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R11/00—Individual connecting elements providing two or more spaced connecting locations for conductive members which are, or may be, thereby interconnected, e.g. end pieces for wires or cables supported by the wire or cable and having means for facilitating electrical connection to some other wire, terminal, or conductive member, blocks of binding posts
- H01R11/03—Individual connecting elements providing two or more spaced connecting locations for conductive members which are, or may be, thereby interconnected, e.g. end pieces for wires or cables supported by the wire or cable and having means for facilitating electrical connection to some other wire, terminal, or conductive member, blocks of binding posts characterised by the relationship between the connecting locations
- H01R11/07—Individual connecting elements providing two or more spaced connecting locations for conductive members which are, or may be, thereby interconnected, e.g. end pieces for wires or cables supported by the wire or cable and having means for facilitating electrical connection to some other wire, terminal, or conductive member, blocks of binding posts characterised by the relationship between the connecting locations the connecting locations being of the same type but different sizes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding
- H01R13/658—High frequency shielding arrangements, e.g. against EMI [Electro-Magnetic Interference] or EMP [Electro-Magnetic Pulse]
- H01R13/6591—Specific features or arrangements of connection of shield to conductive members
- H01R13/65912—Specific features or arrangements of connection of shield to conductive members for shielded multiconductor cable
- H01R13/65914—Connection of shield to additional grounding conductors
Definitions
- the present application relates to the field of mechanical and electrical connectors and connector systems using the same, in particular in multi-phase distribution systems.
- Mechanical and electrical connectors are typically used for mechanically and electrically connecting the conductors of two adjacent sections of multi-phase cables, a connector being provided for each pair of conductors to be connected with one another.
- EP 0 819 222 B2 and GB 2 281 599 A disclose mechanical and electrical connectors comprising a body with blind bores extending from each end of the connector body and into which the ends of two conductors to be connected to one another are inserted.
- the conductors are fixed by threaded fasteners engaged in threaded bores provided in the wall of the connector body and extending into each blind bore.
- a threaded fastener can be provided in the form of a shear bolt, the head of which breaks off at a predetermined applied torque.
- Some power cables are designed, for instance, with three phases plus neutral. When two such cables need to be joined, the neutral must be connected to the ground. Furthermore, it may be necessary to provide a watertight connection.
- US 8 550 842 B1 discloses using a shear bolt mechanical and electrical connector for connecting pairs of corresponding primary conductors of two multi-phase electrical power transmission cables to be mechanically and electrically connected to each other, wherein the connection is sealed using a heat shrinkable tube.
- US 2013/0295790 A1 discloses using a shear bolt mechanical and electrical connector for connecting a pair of conductors, wherein the connection is sealed using a cold shrink cover.
- individual cables comprise a primary conductor surrounded by a plurality of concentric neutral conductors.
- the plurality of neutral conductors surrounding the primary conductor must be clamped together before being grounded, which makes the sealing process complex.
- US 2010/0276196 A1 and US 2010/0279542 A1 disclose variants for sealing a connection using a cold shrink tube, wherein primary conductors are surrounded by a plurality of concentric neutral conductors that are twisted or braided so as to form neutral conductor bundles. In both cases, various overlapping covers must be used due to the complex arrangement of the twisted or braided neutral conductor bundles.
- connecting the neutral to the ground is achieved with insulation-piercing connectors and copper braids.
- the connection is then surrounded by a sealing resin.
- the diameter of the connectors must be increased, and/or protrusion shapes must be provided on the connectors in order to include tightening bolts.
- the mechanical and electrical connector comprises an electrically conductive body extending between two end faces, first blind bores extending into the body from each one of the two end faces, and being adapted for receiving therein corresponding end portions of two conductors to be mechanically and electrically connected to each other, and one or more threaded bores extending through an outer wall of the body into each one of said first blind bores.
- the connector further comprises a second blind bore extending into the body from at least one of said two end faces and being adapted for receiving therein an end portion of a third conductor, in particular a grounding conductor, and one or more threaded bores extending through the outer wall of the body into said second blind bore.
- a mechanical and electrical connector according to the invention not only allows mechanically and electrically connecting two conductors with each other. It also allows connecting them with at least one further conductor, which can be a grounding conductor, whereby the mechanical and electrical connector according to the invention advantageously provides a compact solution for grounding neutral conductors of two multi-phase cable bundles.
- the mechanical and electrical connector according to the invention is particularly advantageous when used with a circular, solid, and malleable grounding conductor received in said second blind bore, as this also facilitates insulation/sealing using cold shrink technologies with respect to known systems using braided grounding conductors, thereby providing a more reliable watertight connector system.
- said second blind bore can have a smaller diameter than said first blind bores.
- the second blind bore can be used, advantageously, for connecting a grounding conductor, which typically has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the two conductors received in the first blind bores. It is, therefore, possible to use a grounding conductor of the circular type, in particular, one that is also solid and malleable, thereby facilitating the use of cold shrink technologies in comparison with connectors used with braided grounding conductors.
- said one or more threaded bores extending into said second blind bore can also extend through an inner wall separating the first blind bores from each other.
- the invention can, therefore, provide a compact solution for grounding two conductors with the same connector.
- said one or more threaded bores extending into said second blind bore can have a smaller diameter than a diameter of said one or more threaded bores extending into said first blind bores.
- said second blind bore can be substantially parallel to at least one of the first blind bores.
- the connector can comprise a second blind bore on each one of said two end faces.
- two grounding conductors can be received in each second blind bore of the connector, thereby improving the grounding of two neutral conductors receiving in the first blind bores with respect to the solution where only one second blind bore is provided.
- two circular, solid, and malleable grounding conductors can be used to ground two neutral conductors with the connector of the invention. This also facilitates insulation/sealing by cold shrink technologies, and providing an even more reliable connector system.
- a thickness of an inner wall of the body separating said first blind bores from each other and said second blind bores from each other can be smaller between the second blind bores than between the first blind bores.
- the connector when the connector comprises second blind bores on each one of said two end faces, said second blind bores can also be substantially aligned with each other, in particular along a same longitudinal direction of the body.
- a compact connector can be achieved.
- the connector can further comprise fastening means, in particular threaded fastening means, adapted for engaging the threaded bores so as to protrude into the blind bores.
- fastening means in particular threaded fastening means, adapted for engaging the threaded bores so as to protrude into the blind bores.
- the fastening means can be shear bolts.
- Shear bolts can be preferred for securing conductors in the first blind bores.
- conductors can be fixedly secured in the blind bores of the connector, and a shareable head of the fastening means can break so that no part of the fastening means protrudes from the connector body, whereby insulation/sealing using, for instance, cold shrinking sleeves can be facilitated.
- the fastening means can be screws with a hexagonal socket. Such screws can be preferred for securing conductors in the second blind bores. Thus, it is possible to tighten the fastening means using standard hex keys, in particular Allen keys.
- at least some of the fastening means can comprise a conical end portion. Such fastening means are advantageous good electrical contact and mechanical resistance when a solid conductor is used.
- the connector system comprises a mechanical and electrical connector according to embodiments of the invention, two multi-phase cable bundles to be mechanically and electrically connected to each other, each multi-phase cable bundle comprising a respective neutral conductor, and a grounding conductor for grounding said first and second neutral conductors of the two multi-phase cable bundles, wherein each neutral conductor has an end portion thereof arranged in a corresponding one of the first blind bores of the connector, and wherein the grounding conductor has an end portion thereof arranged in said second blind bore.
- the connector system when the connector comprises second blind bores on each one of said two end faces, can further comprise a second grounding conductor, wherein each grounding conductor has an end portion thereof received in a corresponding one of the second blind bores.
- fastening means can be engaged in each threaded bore so as to fix therein a respective end portion of a corresponding neutral or grounding conductor.
- fastening means can be engaged in each threaded bore so as to fix therein a respective end portion of a corresponding neutral or grounding conductor.
- said grounding conductor(s) can be a circular, solid, and malleable conductor, in particular a solid copper conductor, more in particular a soft annealed solid copper conductor.
- the invention provides a compact system, wherein the grounding of the neutral conductors can be achieved in a simpler manner than known systems using braided neutral and/or grounding conductors.
- the system advantageously comprises a grounding conductor of the circular type, in particular, one that is also solid and malleable, the use of cold shrink technologies is also facilitated in comparison with connector systems using braided grounding conductors.
- the present invention can, therefore, provide a more reliable connector system, in particular a more reliable and watertight connector system.
- FIGS. 1-4 Advantageous embodiments of a mechanical and electrical connector according to the invention will first be described with reference to FIGS. 1-4 . Further embodiments illustrating a connector system using the mechanical and electrical connector for mechanically and electrically connecting neutral conductors of two multi-phase cable bundles and grounding the same will then be described with reference to FIGS. 5-8 .
- a mechanical and electrical connector 100 comprises an electrically conductive body 101, which extends between two opposing end faces 102, 103 thereof.
- the body 101 can, therefore, define a longitudinal direction corresponding to the direction along which it is elongated.
- the body 101 can be made of any suitable electrically conductive material.
- the body 101 can be made of a metal such as aluminum.
- the elongated body 101 can be substantially cylindrical, as represented in FIG. 1 , but the circular symmetry or substantially cylindrical shape of the body 101 should not be viewed as a limiting feature for the present invention.
- Other shapes than circular/cylindrical could be used.
- the body 101 could be elongated but, instead of being circular, the cross-section of the end faces 102, 103 and the body 101 could be triangular, rectangular, square-shaped, or of any other suitable shape.
- a cylindrical shape i.e. a circular symmetry, is preferred in some embodiments, which can be advantageous in order to present a smooth surface during cold shrinking of an insulating sleeve.
- a first blind bore 104, 105 is provided at each one of the two end faces 102, 103 and extends into the body 101.
- an inner wall 106 visible in the sectional view illustrated in FIG. 2 , can separate said first blind bores 104, 105.
- Each first blind bore 104, 105 is adapted for receiving therein and end portion of a corresponding electrical conductor, whereby the connector 100 can mechanically and electrically connect the two conductors, for instance, like in the embodiments of a connector system described with reference to FIGS. 5-8 .
- At least one threaded bore 107, 108, 109, 110 is provided in the outer wall 111 of the body 101 and extends into a respective one of the first blind bores 104, 105. It is sufficient to provide only one threaded bore for each blind bore 104, 105 for allowing fastening means to secure the end portion of a conductor in each one of said first blind bores 104, 105.
- FIG. 1 In the advantageous embodiments illustrated in FIG.
- first blind bore 104 two threaded bores 107, 108 are provided for first blind bore 104, and two threaded bores 109 are also provided for the other first blind bore 105, which allows additional fastening means to be used, thereby improving the retention of the end portion of a conductor in each one of said first blind bores 104, 105.
- the number of threaded bores does not necessarily have to be the same for both first blind bores 104, 105, as long as the body 101 is provided with at least one threaded bore for each one of the first blind bores 104, 105.
- At least one of the two end faces 102, 103 of the connector 100 of the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1 is further provided with a second blind bore extending into the body 101, the second blind bore being distinct from the corresponding first blind bore 104, 105.
- a second blind bore 112, distinct from the first blind bore 104 is provided on end face 102 of the connector body 101.
- second blind bores 112, 113 could be provided on both end faces 102, 103, or a second blind bore 113 could be provided only on the opposing end face 103, for instance, as illustrated in FIG. 3 .
- the one or more second blind bores 112, 113 is(are) adapted for receiving therein and end portion of a corresponding conductor, preferably a grounding conductor, to be mechanically and electrically connected to the conductors received in the first blind bores 104, 105.
- a second blind bore 112, 113 provided on either one or on both end faces 102, 103 of the body 101 advantageously allows grounding the pair of neutral conductors.
- At least one threaded bore 114 is provided in the outer wall 111 of the body 101 and extends into the second blind bore 112, whereby fastening means can secure the end portion of a conductor received in the second blind bore 112.
- at least one respective threaded bore 114, 115 can be provided in the outer wall 111 of the body 101.
- more than one respective threaded bore 114, 115 could be provided for a given second blind bore 112, 113.
- FIG. 2 represents the connector 100 of the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1 in a similar perspective view but cut along the plane A-A. It can be appreciated that the threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110 extending through the outer wall 111 of the body 101 reach a respective first blind bore 104, 105. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiments, it can also be appreciated that the threaded bores 114, 115 reach into a respective second blind bore 112, 113.
- the one or two second blind bores 112, 113 can be longer than a respective first blind bore 104, 105.
- the inner wall 106 can be thicker between the first blind bores 104, 105 and thinner between the second blind bores 112, 113.
- a threaded bore 114, 115 for securing a conductor in a given second blind bore 112, 113 can extend through the inner wall 106, for instance between the first blind bores 104, 105. This is, however, not limiting for the present invention.
- the one or more threaded bores 114, 115 for securing a conductor in a given second blind bore 112, 113 could also be provided at positions of the body 101 diametrically opposed to what is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , i.e. not necessarily through the inner wall 106 between the first blind bores 104, 105, but so as to extend directly through the wall 111 and into the respective second blind bore 112, 113 without passing between the first blind bores 104, 105.
- the first blind bores 104, 105 can extend along the longitudinal direction of the body 101, preferably parallel to a main axis of the body 101.
- an axis along which the first blind bores 104, 105 extend into the body 101 can be substantially parallel but offset with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the body 101.
- the first blind bores 104, 105 can even be aligned with each other.
- the second blind bore 112, 113 can extend in the body 101 substantially parallel to a respective first blind bore 104, 105. In some embodiments, when second blind bores 112, 113 are provided on both end faces 102, 103, the second blind bores 112, 113 can be aligned with each other. For instance, as illustrated, in particular, in FIG. 2 , the one or two second blind bores 112, 113 can also be substantially parallel but offset with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the body 101 and to an axis of at least one of the first blind bores 104, 105. Thus, a compact connector 100 can be achieved.
- the threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110 allowing fastening means to secure two conductors in a respective first blind bore 104, 105 do not necessarily have to be aligned like in the illustrated embodiments.
- the threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110 could be offset circumferentially on the body 101 with respect to one another, and/or with respect to the threaded bores 114, 115.
- at least some of the threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110 and at least some of the threaded bores 114, 115 could even be aligned.
- the threaded bores 114, 115 allowing fastening means to secure another conductor in a second blind bore 112, 113 also do not necessarily have to be aligned.
- the threaded bores 114, 115 could be offset circumferentially on the body 101 with respect to one another, and/or with respect to the threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110.
- a compact connector 100 could be achieved with the following exemplary dimension: the first blind bores 104, 105 could have a diameter of between about 10 mm and about 15 mm, preferably about 13.2 mm; the one or two second blind bores 112, 113 could have a smaller diameter of between about 5 mm and about 7 mm, preferably about 6.3 mm; whereby a compact connector 100 having an overall diameter of between about 22 mm and about 30 mm, preferably about 27 mm, could be achieved.
- the diameter of the threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110 and 114, 115 could then be substantially adapted to be close to that of the corresponding blind bores 104, 105 and 112, 113 and/or to a preferred standard diameter when a standard screw is used.
- the mechanical and electrical connector 100 can be provided with fastening means 116, 117, 118, 119 for securing conductors in the first blind bores 104, 105, and with fastening means 124 and/or 125 for securing a conductor in at least one second blind bore 112 or 113, or in both second blind bores 112, 113, as the case may be.
- the fastening means 116, 117, 118, 119 and/or the fastening means 124, 125 can be threaded fastening means adapted for engaging a respective threaded bore 107, 108, 109, 110 and/or a respective threaded bore 114, 115.
- FIG. 3 illustrates embodiments of the connector 100 with fastening means 116, 117, 118, 119 and 124, 125 facing but not inserted in a respective threaded bore 107, 108, 109, 110 and 114, 115.
- FIG. 4 illustrates embodiments of the connector 100 with fastening means 116, 117, 119, 119 and 124,125 partially inserted in a respective threaded bore 107, 108, 109, 110 and 114, 115.
- the same type of fastening means could be used for all threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110 and 114, 115. In some embodiments, however, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 , it could be preferable to use different types of fastening means for a respective type of threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110 or 114, 115. For instance, the choice of a respective fastening means could depend on the diameter of the threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110 and 114, 115 which, in turn, could depend on the diameter of the type of conductor to be secured in the first blind bores 104, 105 and/or in a second blind bore 112, 113, respectively.
- the fastening means 116, 117, 118, 119 used for securing a conductor in each one of the first blind bores 104, 105 which are typically adapted for receiving therein neutral conductors of multi-phase distribution systems, could be shear bolts, i.e. bolts comprising a respective shareable head 120, 121, 122, 123, which would break upon application of a predetermined torque.
- the fastening means 124, 125 used for securing a conductor in at least one of the second blind bores 112, 113, which are adapted for receiving therein a grounding conductor which can be of smaller diameter than the neutral conductors received in the first blind bores 104, 105 could be screws or the like.
- the one or two second blind bores 112, 113 could have a smaller diameter than the diameter of the first blind bores 104, 105.
- the threaded bores 114, 115 could also have a smaller diameter than the threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110.
- the fastening means 124, 125 could be screws comprising a head having a standard hexagonal socket 128, 129, whereby hexagonal keys, for instance standard Allen keys, could be used.
- the fastening means 124, 125 could be provided with a conical end portion 126, 127, as illustrated in FIG. 3 , which may be advantageous for providing a good electrical contact and a good mechanical resistance when a solid conductor is received in one or both of the second blind bores 112, 113.
- FIGS. 5-8 the use of a mechanical and electrical connector according to the invention in a connector system 200 for mechanically and electrically connecting neutral conductors 201, 202 of two multi-phase cable bundles and grounding the same will be described with reference to FIGS. 5-8 .
- the connector 100 described with reference to FIGS. 1-4 will be used in the following embodiments, but the skilled reader will appreciate that any variant of the connector 100 could be used in further embodiments of the connector system 200.
- the connector system 200 uses the mechanical and electrical connector 100 described with reference to FIGS. 1-4 in order to mechanically and electrically connect the neutral conductor 201 of a first multi-phase cable bundle to the neutral conductor 202 of a second multi-phase cable bundle, and to connect said neutral conductors 201, 202 to the ground by means of one or two grounding conductor(s) 205 also received in the connector 100.
- the respective connections of the other (non-neutral) conductors of the two multi-phase cable bundles are not illustrated, as they can be realized using well-known mechanical and electrical connectors.
- FIG. 5 illustrates the connector system 200 in a state where the end portion 203 of the neutral conductor 201 of one of the multi-phase cable bundles is received in the first blind bore 104 provided at the end face 102 of the connector 100 and secured therein by the fastening means 116, 117.
- the end portion 204 of the neutral conductor 202 of the other multi-phase cable bundle is received in the first blind bore 105 provided at the opposing end face 103 of the connector 100 and secured therein by the fastening means 118, 119.
- the neutral conductor 201 is mechanically and electrically connected to the neutral conductor 202.
- the fastening means 116, 117, 118, 119 can be shear bolts.
- the shareable heads 120, 121, 122, 123 break.
- the fastening means 116, 117, 118, 119 no longer protrude out of the body 101 of the connector 100, which is advantageous for insulation/sealing processes, for instance using cold shrinking materials.
- FIG. 6 illustrates that the end portion 206 of a grounding conductor 205 can be inserted in a second blind bore 112 or 113 provided at least on one of the two opposing end faces 102, 103 of the connector 100.
- the grounding conductor 205 is received in a second blind bore 112 provided at the end face 102. Its end portion 206 is, therefore, inserted therein along a direction D corresponding to a longitudinal direction of said second blind bore 112.
- the grounding conductor 205 could be received on the other side of the connector 100, namely in a second blind bore 113 provided at the opposing end face 103.
- FIG. 7 illustrates a state in which the end portion 206 of the grounding conductor 205 is fixedly secured in the second blind bore 112 by the fastening means 124.
- the neutral conductors 201, 202 are mechanically and electrically connected to the grounding conductor 205.
- the neutral conductors 201, 202 are connected to the ground.
- FIG. 8 represents the connector system 200 of the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 7 in a similar perspective view but cut along the plane B-B.
- a second blind bore 113 can also be seen extending from the opposing end face 103 of the connector 100, with a corresponding fastening means 125 fully screwed in threaded bore 115, with its end portion 127 in abutment against the opposing internal wall of the second blind bore 113.
- the second blind bore 113 is necessary for grounding the neutral conductors 201, 202.
- the second blind bore 113 and, therefore, the threaded bore 115 and the fastening means 125 are all optional.
- second blind bores 112, 113 are provided on both opposing end faces 102, 103 of the connector 100, in order to provide an even better grounding of the neutral conductors 201, 202, a second grounding conductor (not illustrated) could also be received in the second blind bore 113 and maintained therein by the fastening means 125. In other words, it is possible to increase the safety of the system even more in a simple manner.
- the first and second blind bores 104, 105, 112, 113, and therefore the respective conductors 201, 201, 205 can be physically separated from one another, whereby water migration between conductors can be avoided in case of infiltrations.
- the fastening means 124, 125 can be screws comprising a head having a standard hexagonal socket 128, 129.
- the fastening means 124, 125 can be screwed using, in particular, a standard hexagonal key.
- the fastening means 124, 125 can preferably be chosen with a standard size so that, once tightened, they no longer protrude out of the body 101 of the connector 100, which is advantageous for insulation/sealing processes, for instance using cold shrinking materials.
- the grounding conductor 205 can be a circular, solid conductor, i.e. not a braided-type grounding conductor.
- the grounding conductor 205 can also be a circular, solid, and malleable grounding conductor. This has the advantage, over known systems using braided grounding conductors, that insulation/sealing using cold shrink technologies is facilitated, which thereby ensures that a more reliable, watertight, connector system is provided.
- the grounding conductor 205 could be a circular, solid copper conductor, in particular a soft annealed solid copper conductor.
- the neutral conductors 201, 202 could be 95 mm 2 neutral round solid aluminum conductors, and the grounding conductor 205 could be a 25 mm 2 round solid copper cable.
- sealing is facilitated and can be realized with mastic and/or cold shrinking sleeves or tubes.
- fastening means 124, 125 provided with a conical end portion 126, 127 as illustrated in FIG. 8 could then be advantageous to ensure a good mechanical and electrical contact with the end portion 206 of the grounding conductor 205.
- the mechanical and electrical connector and the connector system of the present invention can have advantageous applications for joining neutral conductors and connecting the same to the ground/earth in underground electrical junctions.
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- Connections Effected By Soldering, Adhesion, Or Permanent Deformation (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present application relates to the field of mechanical and electrical connectors and connector systems using the same, in particular in multi-phase distribution systems.
- Mechanical and electrical connectors are typically used for mechanically and electrically connecting the conductors of two adjacent sections of multi-phase cables, a connector being provided for each pair of conductors to be connected with one another.
-
EP 0 819 222 B2 andGB 2 281 599 A - Some power cables are designed, for instance, with three phases plus neutral. When two such cables need to be joined, the neutral must be connected to the ground. Furthermore, it may be necessary to provide a watertight connection.
-
US 8 550 842 B1 discloses using a shear bolt mechanical and electrical connector for connecting pairs of corresponding primary conductors of two multi-phase electrical power transmission cables to be mechanically and electrically connected to each other, wherein the connection is sealed using a heat shrinkable tube. -
US 2013/0295790 A1 discloses using a shear bolt mechanical and electrical connector for connecting a pair of conductors, wherein the connection is sealed using a cold shrink cover. - In both cases, individual cables comprise a primary conductor surrounded by a plurality of concentric neutral conductors. In such systems, the plurality of neutral conductors surrounding the primary conductor must be clamped together before being grounded, which makes the sealing process complex.
-
US 2010/0276196 A1 andUS 2010/0279542 A1 disclose variants for sealing a connection using a cold shrink tube, wherein primary conductors are surrounded by a plurality of concentric neutral conductors that are twisted or braided so as to form neutral conductor bundles. In both cases, various overlapping covers must be used due to the complex arrangement of the twisted or braided neutral conductor bundles. - In any case, for some insulated conductors, connecting the neutral to the ground is achieved with insulation-piercing connectors and copper braids. The connection is then surrounded by a sealing resin.
- However, for recent bolted connectors, when cold shrink accessories are used to seal the connection without resin technology, it has proven to be rather difficult to provide the sealing around the copper braids to ensure the watertight connection.
- Furthermore, to connect a braid to the neutral connector, the diameter of the connectors must be increased, and/or protrusion shapes must be provided on the connectors in order to include tightening bolts.
- It is, therefore, desirable to provide a connector system that facilitates the connection of the neutral conductors to the ground, while also preventing possible damages to cold shrinkable insulating sleeves used for sealing the junction between the cables.
- The above-mentioned problem is solved by a connector according to claim 1. Optional features of the invention are described in the dependent claims and will also be explained hereafter.
- The mechanical and electrical connector comprises an electrically conductive body extending between two end faces, first blind bores extending into the body from each one of the two end faces, and being adapted for receiving therein corresponding end portions of two conductors to be mechanically and electrically connected to each other, and one or more threaded bores extending through an outer wall of the body into each one of said first blind bores. According to the invention, the connector further comprises a second blind bore extending into the body from at least one of said two end faces and being adapted for receiving therein an end portion of a third conductor, in particular a grounding conductor, and one or more threaded bores extending through the outer wall of the body into said second blind bore.
- Thus, a mechanical and electrical connector according to the invention not only allows mechanically and electrically connecting two conductors with each other. It also allows connecting them with at least one further conductor, which can be a grounding conductor, whereby the mechanical and electrical connector according to the invention advantageously provides a compact solution for grounding neutral conductors of two multi-phase cable bundles. The mechanical and electrical connector according to the invention is particularly advantageous when used with a circular, solid, and malleable grounding conductor received in said second blind bore, as this also facilitates insulation/sealing using cold shrink technologies with respect to known systems using braided grounding conductors, thereby providing a more reliable watertight connector system.
- In some embodiments, said second blind bore can have a smaller diameter than said first blind bores. Thus, the second blind bore can be used, advantageously, for connecting a grounding conductor, which typically has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the two conductors received in the first blind bores. It is, therefore, possible to use a grounding conductor of the circular type, in particular, one that is also solid and malleable, thereby facilitating the use of cold shrink technologies in comparison with connectors used with braided grounding conductors.
- In some embodiments, said one or more threaded bores extending into said second blind bore can also extend through an inner wall separating the first blind bores from each other. The invention can, therefore, provide a compact solution for grounding two conductors with the same connector.
- In some embodiments, said one or more threaded bores extending into said second blind bore can have a smaller diameter than a diameter of said one or more threaded bores extending into said first blind bores. Thus, fastening means of different diameters can be used, in particular, in correspondence with conductors of different diameters.
- In some embodiments, said second blind bore can be substantially parallel to at least one of the first blind bores. Thus, a compact connector can be provided.
- In some embodiments, the connector can comprise a second blind bore on each one of said two end faces. Thus, two grounding conductors can be received in each second blind bore of the connector, thereby improving the grounding of two neutral conductors receiving in the first blind bores with respect to the solution where only one second blind bore is provided. Thus, in preferred embodiments, two circular, solid, and malleable grounding conductors can be used to ground two neutral conductors with the connector of the invention. This also facilitates insulation/sealing by cold shrink technologies, and providing an even more reliable connector system.
- In some embodiments, when the connector comprises second blind bores on each one of said two end faces, a thickness of an inner wall of the body separating said first blind bores from each other and said second blind bores from each other can be smaller between the second blind bores than between the first blind bores. Thus, it is also possible to provide a compact connector when second blind bores are provided on each end face of the connector.
- In some embodiments, when the connector comprises second blind bores on each one of said two end faces, said second blind bores can also be substantially aligned with each other, in particular along a same longitudinal direction of the body. Thus, a compact connector can be achieved.
- In some embodiments, the connector can further comprise fastening means, in particular threaded fastening means, adapted for engaging the threaded bores so as to protrude into the blind bores. Thus, it is possible to fixedly secure conductors receiving the first and/or second blind bores.
- In some embodiments, the fastening means can be shear bolts. Shear bolts can be preferred for securing conductors in the first blind bores. Thus, by applying a predetermined torque, conductors can be fixedly secured in the blind bores of the connector, and a shareable head of the fastening means can break so that no part of the fastening means protrudes from the connector body, whereby insulation/sealing using, for instance, cold shrinking sleeves can be facilitated.
- In some embodiments, the fastening means can be screws with a hexagonal socket. Such screws can be preferred for securing conductors in the second blind bores. Thus, it is possible to tighten the fastening means using standard hex keys, in particular Allen keys. In some embodiments, at least some of the fastening means can comprise a conical end portion. Such fastening means are advantageous good electrical contact and mechanical resistance when a solid conductor is used.
- The above-mentioned problem is also solved by a connector system according to claim 11. Further to the optional features of the connector, optional features of the system are also described in the dependent claims and will also be explained hereafter.
- The connector system comprises a mechanical and electrical connector according to embodiments of the invention, two multi-phase cable bundles to be mechanically and electrically connected to each other, each multi-phase cable bundle comprising a respective neutral conductor, and a grounding conductor for grounding said first and second neutral conductors of the two multi-phase cable bundles, wherein each neutral conductor has an end portion thereof arranged in a corresponding one of the first blind bores of the connector, and wherein the grounding conductor has an end portion thereof arranged in said second blind bore.
- Thus, it is possible to provide a compact connector system for mechanically and electrically connecting the respective neutral conductor of two multi-phase cable bundles and grounding the same. The connector system using the above-mentioned mechanical and electrical connector can easily be sealed using cold shrinking materials, in particular without increasing the diameter, and especially without creating any protrusion on the connector body.
- In some embodiments, when the connector comprises second blind bores on each one of said two end faces, the connector system can further comprise a second grounding conductor, wherein each grounding conductor has an end portion thereof received in a corresponding one of the second blind bores. Thus, it is possible to provide a connector system with improved grounding of the two neutral conductors.
- In some embodiments, fastening means can be engaged in each threaded bore so as to fix therein a respective end portion of a corresponding neutral or grounding conductor. Thus, it is possible to fixedly secure the neutral and grounding conductors in the respective first and second blind bores.
- In some embodiments, said grounding conductor(s) can be a circular, solid, and malleable conductor, in particular a solid copper conductor, more in particular a soft annealed solid copper conductor. Thus, the invention provides a compact system, wherein the grounding of the neutral conductors can be achieved in a simpler manner than known systems using braided neutral and/or grounding conductors. When the system advantageously comprises a grounding conductor of the circular type, in particular, one that is also solid and malleable, the use of cold shrink technologies is also facilitated in comparison with connector systems using braided grounding conductors. The present invention can, therefore, provide a more reliable connector system, in particular a more reliable and watertight connector system.
- The invention will be described more in detail hereafter, based on advantageous embodiments described in combination with the accompanying figures, wherein:
- FIG. 1
- illustrates an example of a connector according to embodiments of the present invention in a perspective view;
- FIG. 2
- illustrates a sectional view of the connector of
FIG. 1 ; - FIG. 3
- illustrates an example of a possible configuration of a connector according to embodiments of the present invention, including fastening means (not engaged in the threaded bores);
- FIG. 4
- illustrates an example of a connector according to embodiments of the present invention, with fastening means engaged in respective threaded bores;
- FIG. 5
- illustrates an example of a connector system according to embodiments of the invention, with end portions of conductors received in the first blind bores, in a perspective view;
- FIG. 6
- illustrates the connector system of
FIG. 5 receiving a conductor in a second blind bore; - FIG.7
- illustrates the connector system of
FIGS. 5 and 6 , with a conductor received and fixed in a second blind bore; and - FIG. 8
- illustrates a sectional view of the connector system of
FIG. 7 . - Advantageous embodiments of a mechanical and electrical connector according to the invention will first be described with reference to
FIGS. 1-4 . Further embodiments illustrating a connector system using the mechanical and electrical connector for mechanically and electrically connecting neutral conductors of two multi-phase cable bundles and grounding the same will then be described with reference toFIGS. 5-8 . - As illustrated in
FIG. 1 , a mechanical andelectrical connector 100 comprises an electricallyconductive body 101, which extends between two opposing end faces 102, 103 thereof. Thebody 101 can, therefore, define a longitudinal direction corresponding to the direction along which it is elongated. Thebody 101 can be made of any suitable electrically conductive material. For instance, without being limited thereto, thebody 101 can be made of a metal such as aluminum. - Furthermore, the
elongated body 101 can be substantially cylindrical, as represented inFIG. 1 , but the circular symmetry or substantially cylindrical shape of thebody 101 should not be viewed as a limiting feature for the present invention. Other shapes than circular/cylindrical could be used. For instance, in some embodiments, thebody 101 could be elongated but, instead of being circular, the cross-section of the end faces 102, 103 and thebody 101 could be triangular, rectangular, square-shaped, or of any other suitable shape. However, a cylindrical shape, i.e. a circular symmetry, is preferred in some embodiments, which can be advantageous in order to present a smooth surface during cold shrinking of an insulating sleeve. - As further illustrated in
FIG. 1 , a firstblind bore body 101. In thebody 101, aninner wall 106, visible in the sectional view illustrated inFIG. 2 , can separate said first blind bores 104, 105. Each firstblind bore connector 100 can mechanically and electrically connect the two conductors, for instance, like in the embodiments of a connector system described with reference toFIGS. 5-8 . - Furthermore, at least one threaded
bore outer wall 111 of thebody 101 and extends into a respective one of the first blind bores 104, 105. It is sufficient to provide only one threaded bore for eachblind bore FIG. 1 , two threadedbores blind bore 104, and two threadedbores 109 are also provided for the other firstblind bore 105, which allows additional fastening means to be used, thereby improving the retention of the end portion of a conductor in each one of said first blind bores 104, 105. However, the number of threaded bores does not necessarily have to be the same for both first blind bores 104, 105, as long as thebody 101 is provided with at least one threaded bore for each one of the first blind bores 104, 105. - According to the invention, at least one of the two end faces 102, 103 of the
connector 100 of the embodiments illustrated inFIG. 1 is further provided with a second blind bore extending into thebody 101, the second blind bore being distinct from the corresponding firstblind bore FIG. 1 , a secondblind bore 112, distinct from the firstblind bore 104, is provided onend face 102 of theconnector body 101. In other embodiments, second blind bores 112, 113 could be provided on both end faces 102, 103, or a secondblind bore 113 could be provided only on theopposing end face 103, for instance, as illustrated inFIG. 3 . In any case, the one or more second blind bores 112, 113 is(are) adapted for receiving therein and end portion of a corresponding conductor, preferably a grounding conductor, to be mechanically and electrically connected to the conductors received in the first blind bores 104, 105. Thus, when using theconnector 100 for connecting the respective neutral conductor of two multi-phase cables, as described hereafter with reference toFIGS. 5-8 , a secondblind bore body 101 advantageously allows grounding the pair of neutral conductors. - As illustrated in
FIG. 1 , at least one threadedbore 114 is provided in theouter wall 111 of thebody 101 and extends into the secondblind bore 112, whereby fastening means can secure the end portion of a conductor received in the secondblind bore 112. As also illustrated, in embodiments comprising second blind bores 112, 113 on both end faces 102, 103, at least one respective threaded bore 114, 115 can be provided in theouter wall 111 of thebody 101. Depending on the configuration of theconnector 100, in particular depending on the length of thebody 101, more than one respective threaded bore 114, 115 could be provided for a given secondblind bore -
FIG. 2 represents theconnector 100 of the embodiments illustrated inFIG. 1 in a similar perspective view but cut along the plane A-A. It can be appreciated that the threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110 extending through theouter wall 111 of thebody 101 reach a respective firstblind bore blind bore - Furthermore, in preferred embodiments, as illustrated in
FIG. 2 , the one or two second blind bores 112, 113 can be longer than a respective firstblind bore inner wall 106 can be thicker between the first blind bores 104, 105 and thinner between the second blind bores 112, 113. Thus, in some embodiments, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 , a threadedbore blind bore inner wall 106, for instance between the first blind bores 104, 105. This is, however, not limiting for the present invention. For instance, the one or more threadedbores blind bore body 101 diametrically opposed to what is illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 , i.e. not necessarily through theinner wall 106 between the first blind bores 104, 105, but so as to extend directly through thewall 111 and into the respective secondblind bore - In some embodiments, the first blind bores 104, 105 can extend along the longitudinal direction of the
body 101, preferably parallel to a main axis of thebody 101. Thus, when thebody 101 is cylindrical, as illustrated, in particular, inFIG. 2 , an axis along which the first blind bores 104, 105 extend into thebody 101 can be substantially parallel but offset with respect to a central longitudinal axis of thebody 101. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the first blind bores 104, 105 can even be aligned with each other. - In some embodiments, the second
blind bore body 101 substantially parallel to a respective firstblind bore FIG. 2 , the one or two second blind bores 112, 113 can also be substantially parallel but offset with respect to a central longitudinal axis of thebody 101 and to an axis of at least one of the first blind bores 104, 105. Thus, acompact connector 100 can be achieved. - The threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110 allowing fastening means to secure two conductors in a respective first
blind bore body 101 with respect to one another, and/or with respect to the threaded bores 114, 115. In some embodiments, at least some of the threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110 and at least some of the threaded bores 114, 115 could even be aligned. - Similarly, in embodiments comprising second blind bores 112, 113 on both end faces 102, 103 of the
body 101, the threaded bores 114, 115 allowing fastening means to secure another conductor in a secondblind bore body 101 with respect to one another, and/or with respect to the threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110. - Without being limited to the following dimensions, a
compact connector 100 could be achieved with the following exemplary dimension: the first blind bores 104, 105 could have a diameter of between about 10 mm and about 15 mm, preferably about 13.2 mm; the one or two second blind bores 112, 113 could have a smaller diameter of between about 5 mm and about 7 mm, preferably about 6.3 mm; whereby acompact connector 100 having an overall diameter of between about 22 mm and about 30 mm, preferably about 27 mm, could be achieved. The diameter of the threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110 and 114, 115 could then be substantially adapted to be close to that of the corresponding blind bores 104, 105 and 112, 113 and/or to a preferred standard diameter when a standard screw is used. - In the embodiments illustrated in
FIGS. 3 and 4 , the mechanical andelectrical connector 100 can be provided with fastening means 116, 117, 118, 119 for securing conductors in the first blind bores 104, 105, and with fastening means 124 and/or 125 for securing a conductor in at least one second blind bore 112 or 113, or in both second blind bores 112, 113, as the case may be. Preferably, the fastening means 116, 117, 118, 119 and/or the fastening means 124, 125 can be threaded fastening means adapted for engaging a respective threaded bore 107, 108, 109, 110 and/or a respective threaded bore 114, 115.FIG. 3 illustrates embodiments of theconnector 100 with fastening means 116, 117, 118, 119 and 124, 125 facing but not inserted in a respective threaded bore 107, 108, 109, 110 and 114, 115. In turn,FIG. 4 illustrates embodiments of theconnector 100 with fastening means 116, 117, 119, 119 and 124,125 partially inserted in a respective threaded bore 107, 108, 109, 110 and 114, 115. - In some embodiments, the same type of fastening means could be used for all threaded
bores FIGS. 3 and 4 , it could be preferable to use different types of fastening means for a respective type of threadedbores blind bore - For instance, as illustrated in
FIGS. 3 and 4 , the fastening means 116, 117, 118, 119 used for securing a conductor in each one of the first blind bores 104, 105, which are typically adapted for receiving therein neutral conductors of multi-phase distribution systems, could be shear bolts, i.e. bolts comprising a respectiveshareable head - In turn, as also illustrated, the fastening means 124, 125 used for securing a conductor in at least one of the second blind bores 112, 113, which are adapted for receiving therein a grounding conductor which can be of smaller diameter than the neutral conductors received in the first blind bores 104, 105, could be screws or the like. Thus, the one or two second blind bores 112, 113 could have a smaller diameter than the diameter of the first blind bores 104, 105. Accordingly, the threaded bores 114, 115 could also have a smaller diameter than the threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110. Depending on the diameter, it would even be possible to use standard screws as the fastening means 124, 125. This would avoid using specifically designed shear bolts. In some embodiments, as also illustrated in
FIGS. 3 and 4 , the fastening means 124, 125 could be screws comprising a head having a standardhexagonal socket - In some embodiments, the fastening means 124, 125 could be provided with a
conical end portion FIG. 3 , which may be advantageous for providing a good electrical contact and a good mechanical resistance when a solid conductor is received in one or both of the second blind bores 112, 113. - Next, the use of a mechanical and electrical connector according to the invention in a
connector system 200 for mechanically and electrically connectingneutral conductors FIGS. 5-8 . For the sake of simplicity, theconnector 100 described with reference toFIGS. 1-4 will be used in the following embodiments, but the skilled reader will appreciate that any variant of theconnector 100 could be used in further embodiments of theconnector system 200. - In the embodiments described with reference to
FIGS. 5-8 , theconnector system 200 uses the mechanical andelectrical connector 100 described with reference toFIGS. 1-4 in order to mechanically and electrically connect theneutral conductor 201 of a first multi-phase cable bundle to theneutral conductor 202 of a second multi-phase cable bundle, and to connect saidneutral conductors connector 100. The respective connections of the other (non-neutral) conductors of the two multi-phase cable bundles are not illustrated, as they can be realized using well-known mechanical and electrical connectors. -
FIG. 5 illustrates theconnector system 200 in a state where theend portion 203 of theneutral conductor 201 of one of the multi-phase cable bundles is received in the firstblind bore 104 provided at theend face 102 of theconnector 100 and secured therein by the fastening means 116, 117. Similarly, theend portion 204 of theneutral conductor 202 of the other multi-phase cable bundle is received in the firstblind bore 105 provided at theopposing end face 103 of theconnector 100 and secured therein by the fastening means 118, 119. Thus, theneutral conductor 201 is mechanically and electrically connected to theneutral conductor 202. - In the illustrated embodiments, the fastening means 116, 117, 118, 119 can be shear bolts. Thus, as also illustrated in
FIG. 5 , upon application of a predetermined torque chosen so that theend portions blind bore shareable heads body 101 of theconnector 100, which is advantageous for insulation/sealing processes, for instance using cold shrinking materials. - In turn,
FIG. 6 illustrates that theend portion 206 of agrounding conductor 205 can be inserted in a second blind bore 112 or 113 provided at least on one of the two opposing end faces 102, 103 of theconnector 100. In the illustrated embodiments, thegrounding conductor 205 is received in a second blind bore 112 provided at theend face 102. Itsend portion 206 is, therefore, inserted therein along a direction D corresponding to a longitudinal direction of said secondblind bore 112. In other embodiments, thegrounding conductor 205 could be received on the other side of theconnector 100, namely in a second blind bore 113 provided at theopposing end face 103. - Next,
FIG. 7 illustrates a state in which theend portion 206 of thegrounding conductor 205 is fixedly secured in the second blind bore 112 by the fastening means 124. Thus, theneutral conductors grounding conductor 205. In other words, theneutral conductors -
FIG. 8 represents theconnector system 200 of the embodiments illustrated inFIG. 7 in a similar perspective view but cut along the plane B-B. A second blind bore 113 can also be seen extending from the opposingend face 103 of theconnector 100, with a corresponding fastening means 125 fully screwed in threadedbore 115, with itsend portion 127 in abutment against the opposing internal wall of the secondblind bore 113. - As explained above, only one of the two second blind bores 112, 113 is necessary for grounding the
neutral conductors blind bore 113 and, therefore, the threadedbore 115 and the fastening means 125, are all optional. - However, in some embodiments, when second blind bores 112, 113 are provided on both opposing end faces 102, 103 of the
connector 100, in order to provide an even better grounding of theneutral conductors blind bore 113 and maintained therein by the fastening means 125. In other words, it is possible to increase the safety of the system even more in a simple manner. - Furthermore, as illustrated in
FIG. 8 , the first and second blind bores 104, 105, 112, 113, and therefore therespective conductors - In the illustrated embodiments, the fastening means 124, 125 can be screws comprising a head having a standard
hexagonal socket body 101 of theconnector 100, which is advantageous for insulation/sealing processes, for instance using cold shrinking materials. - Furthermore, in the illustrated advantageous embodiments, the
grounding conductor 205 can be a circular, solid conductor, i.e. not a braided-type grounding conductor. Advantageously, thegrounding conductor 205 can also be a circular, solid, and malleable grounding conductor. This has the advantage, over known systems using braided grounding conductors, that insulation/sealing using cold shrink technologies is facilitated, which thereby ensures that a more reliable, watertight, connector system is provided. For instance, without being limited thereto, in some embodiments, thegrounding conductor 205 could be a circular, solid copper conductor, in particular a soft annealed solid copper conductor. Without being limited to these dimensions, in some embodiments of theconnector system 200, theneutral conductors grounding conductor 205 could be a 25 mm2 round solid copper cable. Thus, sealing is facilitated and can be realized with mastic and/or cold shrinking sleeves or tubes. Furthermore, fastening means 124, 125 provided with aconical end portion FIG. 8 could then be advantageous to ensure a good mechanical and electrical contact with theend portion 206 of thegrounding conductor 205. - Without being limited thereto, the mechanical and electrical connector and the connector system of the present invention can have advantageous applications for joining neutral conductors and connecting the same to the ground/earth in underground electrical junctions.
- List of reference signs
- 100
- connector
- 101
- body
- 102, 103
- end faces
- 104, 105
- first blind bores
- 106
- inner wall
- 107, 108, 109, 110
- threaded bores
- 111
- outer wall
- 112,113
- second blind bores
- 114, 115
- threaded bores
- 116, 117, 118, 119
- shear bolt (fastening means)
- 120, 121, 122, 123
- shear head
- 124, 125
- screw (fastening means)
- 126, 127
- conical end portion
- 128, 129
- hexagonal socket
- 200
- connector system
- 201, 202
- neutral conductors
- 203, 204
- end portions
- 205
- grounding conductor
- 206
- end portion
- A-A, B-B
- cross-section planes
- D
- direction
Claims (15)
- Mechanical and electrical connector (100) comprising:an electrically conductive body (101) extending between two end faces (102, 103);first blind bores (104, 105) extending into the body (101) from each one of the two end faces (102, 103) and being adapted for receiving therein corresponding end portions of two conductors to be mechanically and electrically connected to each other; andone or more threaded bores (107, 108, 109, 110) extending through an outer wall (111) of the body (101) into each one of said first blind bores (104, 105);characterized by further comprisinga second blind bore (112, 113) extending into the body from at least one of said two end faces (102, 103) and being adapted for receiving therein an end portion of a third conductor, in particular a grounding conductor; andone or more threaded bores (114, 115) extending through the outer wall (111) of the body (101) into said second blind bore (112, 113).
- Connector (100) according to claim 1, wherein said second blind bore (112, 113) has a smaller diameter than said first blind bores (104, 105).
- Connector (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said one or more threaded bores (114, 115) extending into said second blind bore (112, 113) also extends through an inner wall (116) separating said first blind bores (104, 105).
- Connector (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said one or more threaded bores (114, 115) extending into said second blind bore (112, 113) has a smaller diameter than a diameter of said one or more threaded bores (107, 108, 109, 110) extending into said first blind bores (104, 105).
- Connector (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said second blind bore (112, 113) is substantially parallel to at least one of the first blind bores (104, 105).
- Connector (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector (100) comprises a second blind bore (112, 113) on each one of said two end faces (102, 103).
- Connector (100) according to claim 6, wherein a thickness of an inner wall (106) of the body (101) separating said first blind bores (104, 105) from each other and said second blind bores (112, 113) from each other is smaller between the second blind bores (112, 113) than between the first blind bores (104, 105).
- Connector (100) according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein said second blind bores (112, 113) are substantially aligned with each other, in particular along a same longitudinal direction of the body (101).
- Connector (100) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising fastening means (116, 117, 118, 119, 124, 125), in particular threaded fastening means, adapted for engaging the threaded bores (107, 108, 109, 110, 114, 115) so as to protrude into the blind bores (104, 105, 112, 113).
- Connector (100) according to claim 9, wherein at least some of the fastening means (116, 117, 118, 119, 124, 125) are one of shear bolts, and screws, in particular screws having a hexagonal socket.
- Connector (100) according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein at least some of the fastening means (116, 117, 118, 119, 124, 125) comprise a conical end portion (126, 127).
- Connector system (200) comprising:a mechanical and electrical connector (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11;two multi-phase cable bundles to be mechanically and electrically connected to each other, each multi-phase cable bundle comprising a respective neutral conductor (201, 202); anda grounding conductor (205) for grounding said first and second neutral conductors (201, 202) of the two multi-phase cable bundles;wherein each neutral conductor (201, 202) has an end portion (203, 204) thereof arranged in a corresponding one of the first blind bores (104, 105) of the connector (100); andwherein the grounding conductor (205) has an end portion (206) thereof arranged in said second blind bore (112, 113).
- Connector system (200) according to claim 12, in a combination with one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising a second grounding conductor, and wherein each grounding conductor (205) has an end portion (206) thereof received in a corresponding one of the second blind bores (112, 113).
- Connector (200) system according to claim 12 or claim 13, in a combination with one of claims 9 to 11, wherein fastening means (116, 117, 118, 119, 124, 125) are engaged in each threaded bore (107, 108, 109, 110, 112, 113) so as to fix therein a respective end portion (203, 204, 206) of a corresponding neutral or grounding conductor (201, 202, 205).
- Connector system (200) according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein said grounding conductor(s) (205) is(are) a circular, solid, and malleable conductor, in particular a solid copper conductor, more in particular a soft annealed solid copper conductor.
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Cited By (1)
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EP4235974A1 (en) * | 2022-02-23 | 2023-08-30 | Nexans | Connector for medium voltage stranded conductors |
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EP0819222B2 (en) | 1995-04-07 | 2004-03-17 | B & H ( NOTTM) LIMITED | Fastener |
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WO2006108445A1 (en) * | 2005-04-14 | 2006-10-19 | Fci Electrique France | Connecting device for electrically connecting at least three electrical conductors, and kit comprising such devices |
DE202006009278U1 (en) * | 2006-06-13 | 2006-09-14 | Schneider, Ekkehard, Dipl.-Ing. | Main conductor branching clamp having at least two clamps arranged in rows in the housing |
US20100279542A1 (en) | 2009-05-01 | 2010-11-04 | Mahmoud Seraj | Methods and kits for covering electrical cables and connections |
US20100276196A1 (en) | 2009-05-01 | 2010-11-04 | Mahmoud Seraj | Cover assemblies for cables and electrical connections and methods for making and using the same |
US20130295790A1 (en) | 2012-05-02 | 2013-11-07 | Tyco Electronics Corporation | Connector assemblies and systems and methods for forming disconnectable joint assemblies |
US8550842B1 (en) | 2012-05-24 | 2013-10-08 | Tyco Electronics Corporation | Cable connector systems and methods including same |
US20140011384A1 (en) * | 2012-07-04 | 2014-01-09 | Changzhou Amphenol Fuyang Communication Equip. Co., Ltd. | Power adaptor |
CN204927551U (en) * | 2015-09-14 | 2015-12-30 | 秉岳电气(上海)有限公司 | Electric connecting device of branch of insulating seal |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP4235974A1 (en) * | 2022-02-23 | 2023-08-30 | Nexans | Connector for medium voltage stranded conductors |
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