Patents by Inventor Alan D. Borgstrom

Alan D. Borgstrom has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10614976
    Abstract: A method for assembling a housing for a high voltage electrical switch includes providing a tubular body having a top portion and a bottom portion opposite the top portion, wherein the tubular body is configured to receive a vacuum bottle assembly within the tubular body; sliding a first shed sleeve over an outside surface of the top portion without creating a permanent bond, wherein an interior surface of the first shed sleeve forms a dielectric interface between the outside surface of the top portion and the interior surface of the first shed sleeve; and sliding a second shed sleeve over an outside surface of the bottom portion without creating a permanent bond, wherein an interior surface of the second shed sleeve forms a dielectric interface between the outside surface of the bottom portion and the interior surface of the second shed sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Alan D. Borgstrom, Kieran Higgins
  • Patent number: 9954315
    Abstract: A grounding link for use with an elbow-type power cable electrical connector. The grounding link includes a bushing interface portion, a cap receiving portion, and a tap portion, wherein the grounding link further includes a grounding element extending between the bushing interface portion and a cap receiving portion, and wherein the bushing interface portion of the grounding link is configured for insertion into a bore in elbow-type power cable electrical connector. The grounding element includes an exposed portion projecting above a surface of the grounding link, wherein the exposed portion of the grounding element is configured for attachment by a grounded hot line clamp to ground the electrical connector assembly. The tap portion is configured for receipt of a second elbow connector to conductively couple the second elbow connector to the elbow-type power cable electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Larry N. Siebens, Alan D. Borgstrom
  • Publication number: 20160141801
    Abstract: A grounding link for use with an elbow-type power cable electrical connector. The grounding link includes a bushing interface portion, a cap receiving portion, and a tap portion, wherein the grounding link further includes a grounding element extending between the bushing interface portion and a cap receiving portion, and wherein the bushing interface portion of the grounding link is configured for insertion into a bore in elbow-type power cable electrical connector. The grounding element includes an exposed portion projecting above a surface of the grounding link, wherein the exposed portion of the grounding element is configured for attachment by a grounded hot line clamp to ground the electrical connector assembly. The tap portion is configured for receipt of a second elbow connector to conductively couple the second elbow connector to the elbow-type power cable electrical connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Larry N. Siebens, Alan D. Borgstrom
  • Publication number: 20160079010
    Abstract: A method for assembling a housing for a high voltage electrical switch includes providing a tubular body having a top portion and a bottom portion opposite the top portion, wherein the tubular body is configured to receive a vacuum bottle assembly within the tubular body; sliding a first shed sleeve over an outside surface of the top portion without creating a permanent bond, wherein an interior surface of the first shed sleeve forms a dielectric interface between the outside surface of the top portion and the interior surface of the first shed sleeve; and sliding a second shed sleeve over an outside surface of the bottom portion without creating a permanent bond, wherein an interior surface of the second shed sleeve forms a dielectric interface between the outside surface of the bottom portion and the interior surface of the second shed sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Alan D. Borgstrom, Kieran Higgins
  • Patent number: 9190231
    Abstract: A housing for a high voltage electrical switch includes a tubular body having a top portion and a bottom portion opposite the top portion and removable shed sleeves. A first shed sleeve is removably attached to an outside surface of the top portion, such that an interior surface of the first shed sleeve forms a dielectric interface between the outside surface of the top portion and the interior surface of the first shed sleeve. A second shed sleeve is removably attached to an outside surface of the bottom portion, such that an interior surface of the second shed sleeve forms a dielectric interface between the outside surface of the bottom portion and the interior surface of the second shed sleeve. The first and second shed sleeves are stretched over their respective portions of the tubular body and secured via an interference fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan D. Borgstrom, Kieran Higgins
  • Patent number: 8674254
    Abstract: An electrical switch includes a tubular housing that includes an interface positioned intermediate the conductor receiving end and the operating end. An operating rod extends through the housing. A fixed contact is electrically coupled to the operating end. A moveable contact is electrically coupled to the interface and the operating rod, wherein the moveable contact is moveable between a first position contacting the fixed contact and a second position separated from the fixed contact. A diaphragm is positioned in the tubular housing between the interface and the operating end and includes a first tubular portion and a second tubular portion. Movement of the operating rod from the first position to the second position causes the second tubular portion to move relative to the first tubular portion, thus deforming the shoulder portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan D. Borgstrom
  • Patent number: 8641434
    Abstract: An electrical connector feedthru insert assembly may include a connector body having a first leg projecting from the body in a first direction and second and third legs projecting from the body in a second direction substantially opposing the first direction. The first leg may be configured for insertion into a bushing well in a transformer, the bushing well including a conductive stud therein. The first leg may include a longitudinal bore extending therethrough configured for alignment with the conductive stud in the bushing well upon insertion of the first leg into the bushing well, the longitudinal bore having a bolt passage portion and a first shoulder portion. The feedthru insert assembly may further include a bolt sized for insertion into the longitudinal bore and including a tool engagement shoulder portion to engage the first shoulder portion of the longitudinal bore. Application of rotational force to the tool engagement shoulder portion may cause the bolt to threadingly engage the conductive stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc
    Inventors: Larry N. Siebens, Alan D. Borgstrom
  • Patent number: 8602800
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly may include a connector body having a conductor receiving end and first and second connector ends formed substantially perpendicularly to an axial direction of the conductor receiving end. The connector body includes a first axial bore that communicates with each of a second axial bore and a third axial bore in the first and second connector ends, respectively. The electrical connector assembly may include a conductor spade assembly received in the first axial bore, wherein the conductor spade assembly includes a spade portion extending between the second axial bore and the third axial bore. A removeable contact may be received within the second axial bore to conductively engage the spade portion of the conductor spade assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan D. Borgstrom, James Cole, Larry N. Siebens
  • Publication number: 20130228432
    Abstract: A housing for a high voltage electrical switch includes a tubular body having a top portion and a bottom portion opposite the top portion and removable shed sleeves. A first shed sleeve is removably attached to an outside surface of the top portion, such that an interior surface of the first shed sleeve forms a dielectric interface between the outside surface of the top portion and the interior surface of the first shed sleeve. A second shed sleeve is removably attached to an outside surface of the bottom portion, such that an interior surface of the second shed sleeve forms a dielectric interface between the outside surface of the bottom portion and the interior surface of the second shed sleeve. The first and second shed sleeves are stretched over their respective portions of the tubular body and secured via an interference fit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Alan D. Borgstrom, Kieran Higgins
  • Patent number: 8408925
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly may include a connector body having a conductor receiving end, a first connector end, and a visible open port. A contact assembly may extend axially within the connector body from the conductor receiving end to the first connector end. A conductive insert may be inserted into the visible open port. At least a portion of the contact assembly is visible through the visible open port prior to insertion of the conductive insert or following removal of the conductive insert. The portion of the contact assembly visible through the visible open port includes a first contact portion and a second contact portion separated by a gap. A portion of the conductive insert is received in the gap between the first contact portion and the second contact portion to allow current to flow from the second contact portion to the first contact portion upon insertion of the conductive insert into the visible open port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan D. Borgstrom, Kieran P. Higgins
  • Patent number: 8388381
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly may include a connector body having a conductor receiving end, a first link interface, a second link interface, a first connector end, and a visible open port between the first link interface and the second link interface. The first link interface may be conductively coupled to the conductor receiving end and the second link interface may be spaced axially from the first link interface and conductively coupled to the first connector end. The first link interface and the second link interface are configured to receive a link assembly therein. An insulative material may be positioned within the connector body axially between the first link interface and the second link interface. At least a portion of the insulative material may be visible through the visible open port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan D. Borgstrom, James Cole
  • Patent number: 8282410
    Abstract: A deadbreak-to-loadbreak adapter assembly may include a deadbreak-to-loadbreak bushing having a first end and a second end, and an annular shoulder portion located between the first end and the second end. The first end may include a loadbreak interface for connecting to a loadbreak device and the second end may include a deadbreak interface for connecting to a deadbreak bushing. A bailing element may be provided for securing the deadbreak-to-loadbreak adapter bushing to a housing in which the deadbreak bushing is installed via a securing force applied to the shoulder portion of the deadbreak-to-loadbreak adapter bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry N. Siebens, Alan D. Borgstrom
  • Publication number: 20120193325
    Abstract: An electrical switch includes a tubular housing that includes an interface positioned intermediate the conductor receiving end and the operating end. An operating rod extends through the housing. A fixed contact is electrically coupled to the operating end. A moveable contact is electrically coupled to the interface and the operating rod, wherein the moveable contact is moveable between a first position contacting the fixed contact and a second position separated from the fixed contact. A diaphragm is positioned in the tubular housing between the interface and the operating end and includes a first tubular portion and a second tubular portion. Movement of the operating rod from the first position to the second position causes the second tubular portion to move relative to the first tubular portion, thus deforming the shoulder portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Alan D. Borgstrom
  • Patent number: 8128423
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly may include a connector body having a conductor receiving end, a connector end, a linking assembly connecting the conductor receiving end to the connector end, and a visible open port positioned in the connector body for viewing at least a portion of the linking assembly. The linking assembly may include a rearward conductive end conductively coupled to the conductor receiving end, a flexible conductor conductively coupled to the connector end, and a linking pin coupled to the flexible conductor and movable between a first position and a second position. The first position maintains the conductor receiving end electrically isolated from the connector end, and the second position conductively couples the conductor receiving end to the connector end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan D. Borgstrom, James Cole
  • Publication number: 20120028510
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly may include a connector body having a conductor receiving end, a connector end, a linking assembly connecting the conductor receiving end to the connector end, and a visible open port positioned in the connector body for viewing at least a portion of the linking assembly. The linking assembly may include a rearward conductive end conductively coupled to the conductor receiving end, a flexible conductor conductively coupled to the connector end, and a linking pin coupled to the flexible conductor and movable between a first position and a second position. The first position maintains the conductor receiving end electrically isolated from the connector end, and the second position conductively couples the conductor receiving end to the connector end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Alan D. Borgstrom, James Cole
  • Publication number: 20120018217
    Abstract: An electrical connector feedthru insert assembly may include a connector body having a first leg projecting from the body in a first direction and second and third legs projecting from the body in a second direction substantially opposing the first direction. The first leg may be configured for insertion into a bushing well in a transformer, the bushing well including a conductive stud therein. The first leg may include a longitudinal bore extending therethrough configured for alignment with the conductive stud in the bushing well upon insertion of the first leg into the bushing well, the longitudinal bore having a bolt passage portion and a first shoulder portion. The feedthru insert assembly may further include a bolt sized for insertion into the longitudinal bore and including a tool engagement shoulder portion to engage the first shoulder portion of the longitudinal bore. Application of rotational force to the tool engagement shoulder portion may cause the bolt to threadingly engage the conductive stud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Larry N. Siebens, Alan D. Borgstrom
  • Publication number: 20120021650
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly may include a connector body having a conductor receiving end, a first link interface, a second link interface, a first connector end, and a visible open port between the first link interface and the second link interface. The first link interface may be conductively coupled to the conductor receiving end and the second link interface may be spaced axially from the first link interface and conductively coupled to the first connector end. The first link interface and the second link interface are configured to receive a link assembly therein. An insulative material may be positioned within the connector body axially between the first link interface and the second link interface. At least a portion of the insulative material may be visible through the visible open port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Alan D. Borgstrom, James Cole
  • Publication number: 20110256746
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly may include a connector body having a conductor receiving end and first and second connector ends formed substantially perpendicularly to an axial direction of the conductor receiving end. The connector body includes a first axial bore that communicates with each of a second axial bore and a third axial bore in the first and second connector ends, respectively. The electrical connector assembly may include a conductor spade assembly received in the first axial bore, wherein the conductor spade assembly includes a spade portion extending between the second axial bore and the third axial bore. A removeable contact may be received within the second axial bore to conductively engage the spade portion of the conductor spade assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Alan D. Borgstrom, James Cole, Larry N. Siebens
  • Publication number: 20110189887
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly may include a connector body having a conductor receiving end, a first connector end, and a visible open port. A contact assembly may extend axially within the connector body from the conductor receiving end to the first connector end. A conductive insert may be inserted into the visible open port. At least a portion of the contact assembly is visible through the visible open port prior to insertion of the conductive insert or following removal of the conductive insert. The portion of the contact assembly visible through the visible open port includes a first contact portion and a second contact portion separated by a gap. A portion of the conductive insert is received in the gap between the first contact portion and the second contact portion to allow current to flow from the second contact portion to the first contact portion upon insertion of the conductive insert into the visible open port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Alan D. Borgstrom, Kieran P. Higgins
  • Publication number: 20110092088
    Abstract: A deadbreak-to-loadbreak adapter assembly may include a deadbreak-to-loadbreak adapter bushing having a first end and a second end, and an annular shoulder portion located between the first end and the second end. The first end may include a loadbreak interface for connecting to a loadbreak device and the second end may include a deadbreak interface for connecting to a deadbreak bushing. Bailing means may be provided for securing the deadbreak-to-loadbreak adapter bushing to a housing in which the deadbreak bushing is installed via a securing force applied to the shoulder portion of the deadbreak-to-loadbreak adapter bushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Larry N. Siebens, Alan D. Borgstrom