Patents by Inventor Larry N. Siebens
Larry N. Siebens 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).
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Patent number: 10845392Abstract: A medium or high voltage electrical device includes a housing, a central conductor provided within the housing, and a sacrificial cap configured for mounting on the housing. The sacrificial cap includes an outer housing, an insulated body, and a sacrificial conductor provided within the insulated body, wherein the sacrificial conductor electrically communicates with the central conductor within the housing when the sacrificial cap is mounted on the housing. A voltage test point terminal is provided within the insulated body and accessible via the outer housing of the sacrificial cap to capacitively couple with the sacrificial conductor. The sacrificial cap includes a portion configured to be physically severed to confirm that the electrical connector is de-energized.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventor: Larry N. Siebens
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Publication number: 20190107563Abstract: A medium or high voltage electrical device includes a housing, a central conductor provided within the housing, and a sacrificial cap configured for mounting on the housing. The sacrificial cap includes an outer housing, an insulated body, and a sacrificial conductor provided within the insulated body, wherein the sacrificial conductor electrically communicates with the central conductor within the housing when the sacrificial cap is mounted on the housing. A voltage test point terminal is provided within the insulated body and accessible via the outer housing of the sacrificial cap to capacitively couple with the sacrificial conductor. The sacrificial cap includes a portion configured to be physically severed to confirm that the electrical connector is de-energized.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventor: Larry N. Siebens
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Patent number: 10043630Abstract: A support bracket for a fuse cutout may include an insulating rod with a first threaded standoff at a top end of the insulating rod and a second threaded standoff at a bottom end of the insulating rod. One or more shed sleeves may be secured over an outside surface of the insulating rod between the first threaded standoff and the second threaded standoff. The interior surface of the one or more shed sleeves forms a dielectric interface between the outside surface of the insulating rod and the interior surface of the shed sleeve. A mounting bracket may be secured to a portion of the support bracket between the first threaded standoff and the second threaded standoff. The one or more shed sleeves may be pre-molded prior to installation over the insulating rod.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2015Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLCInventors: Larry N. Siebens, Daniel L. Gardner, Gary Haynes
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Patent number: 9954315Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 12, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLCInventors: Larry N. Siebens, Alan D. Borgstrom
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Patent number: 9915680Abstract: A faulted circuit indicator (FCI) device for installation on a power line includes a housing, a laminate structure fastened to the housing and configured to receive the power line, and a clamp mechanism pivotally fastened to the housing and configured to secure the housing to the power line. The clamp mechanism includes a pair of opposing clamp arms each having a curved configuration. The curved configuration of the clamp arms maintains the power line in a centered relationship within the laminate structure when the clamp arms are engaged on the power line over a range of power line diameters.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2015Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLCInventors: Bahman Khoshnood, William J. Dodds, Camilo Delgado, Robert Fong, Venket Rao Yeeli, Hunter Thornell Foy, Chandrashekar Srinivas, David Martin, Larry N. Siebens, Stanley Szyszko
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Patent number: 9472868Abstract: A permanent ground point for a splicing connector is provided. The ground point is comprised of a ground rod that is permanently attached to a port on the splicing connector. A grounding clamp may then be attached to the ground point after the system is de-energized in order to provide a safe connection to system ground.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2014Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLCInventors: Larry N. Siebens, Carlos H. Hernandez
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Patent number: 9443681Abstract: An electrical switch includes a tubular housing having a conductor receiving end and an operating end opposite the conductor receiving end. The tubular housing also includes a conductive interface positioned intermediate the conductor receiving end and the operating end. An operating rod extends through the operating end toward the conductor receiving end. The operating rod is moveable between a first position to engage the electrical switch and a second position to disengage the electrical switch. A gelatinous dielectric material is provided within a portion of the tubular housing, and around the operating rod, in the operating end to prevent voltage from the conductive interface from arcing to the operating end. The gelatinous dielectric material is configured to deform to maintain contact with the operating rod in the first position and the second position.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLCInventor: Larry N. Siebens
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Patent number: 9444176Abstract: An electrical connector assembly configured to couple a power cable and at least one other electrical component, includes a housing body that includes a outer jacket, an insert portion, and an insulative inner housing positioned between at least a portion of the outer jacket and the insert portion. The housing body forms at least one bore for receiving the power cable. The outer jacket comprises a cable receiving jacket portion and a main body jacket portion. At least a portion of the cable receiving jacket portion is configured to engage the power cable received into the housing body. The cable receiving jacket portion comprises a cold shrink material configured to securely engage the power cable upon and the main body jack portion comprises a non-cold shrink material.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, LLCInventors: Larry N. Siebens, Daniel L. Gardner, Carlos H. Hernandez, Kieran P. Higgins
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Patent number: 9437374Abstract: A grounding device for switchgear includes a connector and a body. The body includes (1) a male interface portion including an electrically conductive bus with a first bore and a spade connector; (2) a conductive housing including a second bore that is axially aligned with the first bore, and a grounding terminal to receive a grounding wire; (3) a pin assembly including a non-conductive tip, and a conductive pin, wherein the pin assembly is configured to move axially within the first and second bores between a closed position that provides an electrical connection between the bus and the conductive housing and an open position that provides no electrical connection; (4) a communications receptacle to receive signals from a controller outside the device body; and (5) a motor configured to selectively drive the pin assembly between the open position and the closed position, based on a signal from the controller.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLCInventor: Larry N. Siebens
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Patent number: 9350103Abstract: An elbow-type medium or high voltage electrical device includes a longitudinal body, a first connector end formed substantially perpendicularly to an axial direction of the longitudinal body, and an integral grounding element end substantially perpendicularly to the axial direction of the longitudinal body and opposing the first connector end. The first connector end includes a first axial bore configured to receive a bushing element therein. The grounding element end includes a second axial bore formed therein for receiving a conductive grounding element therein. The grounding element, when inserted into the second axial bore includes an exposed portion projecting above a surface of the grounding element end. The exposed portion of the grounding element is configured for attachment by a grounded hot line clamp to ground the electrical connector assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2015Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, LLCInventor: Larry N. Siebens
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Publication number: 20160141801Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2015Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Larry N. Siebens, Alan D. Borgstrom
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Patent number: 9337553Abstract: A grounding rod for a sacrificial appendage of an electrical cable connector, such as a splicing connector for joining two or more electrical cables, is provided. The sacrificial appendage is comprised of a feature for enabling personnel to ensure that the connector is de-energized, and once this is confirmed, the sacrificial appendage may be removed and replaced with a ground rod to which a grounding device can be connected to ground the system.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2014Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLCInventors: Larry N. Siebens, Carlos H. Hernandez
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Patent number: 9325104Abstract: A connector device includes a device body and a pin assembly. The connector device includes a bushing portion with a conductive bus having a first bore, a conductive housing with a second bore that is axially aligned with the first bore, an internal chamber separating the first bore and the second bore, and a gelatinous silicone material enclosed within the internal chamber. The pin assembly includes a non-conductive tip and a conductive pin secured to the non-conductive tip. The pin assembly is configured to move axially, within the first and second bores, between a closed position that provides an electrical connection between the conductive bus and the conductive housing and an open position that provides no electrical connection between the conductive bus and the conductive housing. The gelatinous silicone material inhibits voltage arcing across a surface of the non-conductive tip when the pin assembly is in the open position.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Larry N. Siebens, William K. Longcor, IV
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Publication number: 20150293146Abstract: A faulted circuit indicator (FCI) device for installation on a power line includes a housing, a laminate structure fastened to the housing and configured to receive the power line, and a clamp mechanism pivotally fastened to the housing and configured to secure the housing to the power line. The clamp mechanism includes a pair of opposing clamp arms each having a curved configuration. The curved configuration of the clamp arms maintains the power line in a centered relationship within the laminate structure when the clamp arms are engaged on the power line over a range of power line diameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2015Publication date: October 15, 2015Inventors: Bahman Khoshnood, William J. Dodds, Camilo Delgado, Robert Fong, Venket Rao Yeeli, Hunter Thornell Foy, Chandrashekar Srinivas, David Martin, Larry N. Siebens, Stanley Szyszko
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Publication number: 20150270087Abstract: A support bracket for a fuse cutout may include an insulating rod with a first threaded standoff at a top end of the insulating rod and a second threaded standoff at a bottom end of the insulating rod. One or more shed sleeves may be secured over an outside surface of the insulating rod between the first threaded standoff and the second threaded standoff. The interior surface of the one or more shed sleeves forms a dielectric interface between the outside surface of the insulating rod and the interior surface of the shed sleeve. A mounting bracket may be secured to a portion of the support bracket between the first threaded standoff and the second threaded standoff. The one or more shed sleeves may be pre-molded prior to installation over the insulating rod.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2015Publication date: September 24, 2015Inventors: Larry N. Siebens, Daniel L. Gardner, Gary Haynes
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Publication number: 20150262768Abstract: A switchgear assembly includes a first body housing a circuit breaker and a first control enclosure connected to the first body. The first control enclosure includes a first operating handle that opens and closes the circuit breaker. The switchgear assembly also includes a second body and a second control enclosure. The second body is coupled to the first body, includes a viewing window and houses a switch. The second control enclosure is connected to the second body and includes a second operating handle. The second operating handle is interlocked with the first operating handle to prevent the switch from being opened when the circuit breaker is closed. The viewing window displays an open connection for the switch when the second operating handle is in the open position and displays a closed connection for the switch when the second operating handle is in the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2015Publication date: September 17, 2015Inventors: Larry N. Siebens, Scott Foerster, Daniel L. Gardner
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Patent number: 9124050Abstract: An elbow-type power cable electrical connector includes a connector body having a bushing receiving end projecting substantially perpendicularly from the connector body and a connection end projecting substantially perpendicularly from the connector body and oriented substantially opposite to the bushing receiving end, wherein the bushing receiving end is configured to receive a switchgear bushing therein. A grounding device is configured for insertion into the connection end of the connector, wherein the grounding device is configured to conductively connect to the switchgear bushing. The grounding devices include an exposed conductive portion configured to engage a grounded hot line clamp, during grounding of the electrical connector assembly. An insulated cap is provided to cover the exposed conductive portion of the grounding device during normal operation of the electrical connector.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2013Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL LLCInventor: Larry N. Siebens
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Patent number: 9124015Abstract: An electrical connector assembly may include a yoke that includes an outer housing; and a central conductor provided within the outer housing, wherein the central conductor comprises at least three outwardly extending portions. A first outwardly extending portion and a second outwardly extending portion are operatively coupled to first and second power cables, respectively. A third outwardly extending portion comprises a tap configured to interchangeably interface with a sacrificial appendage and a grounding element. When the sacrificial appendage is installed on the tap, the sacrificial appendage is configured to be cut through to confirm that the electrical connector assembly is de-energized. When the grounding element is installed on the tap, the grounding element is configured for attachment to a grounded hot line clamp to ground the electrical connector assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2013Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL LLCInventor: Larry N. Siebens
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Publication number: 20150132979Abstract: An elbow-type medium or high voltage electrical device includes a longitudinal body, a first connector end formed substantially perpendicularly to an axial direction of the longitudinal body, and an integral grounding element end substantially perpendicularly to the axial direction of the longitudinal body and opposing the first connector end. The first connector end includes a first axial bore configured to receive a bushing element therein. The grounding element end includes a second axial bore formed therein for receiving a conductive grounding element therein. The grounding element, when inserted into the second axial bore includes an exposed portion projecting above a surface of the grounding element end. The exposed portion of the grounding element is configured for attachment by a grounded hot line clamp to ground the electrical connector assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2015Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventor: Larry N. Siebens
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Patent number: D734269Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2013Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, LLCInventor: Larry N. Siebens