Driving Type Patents (Class 174/7)
  • Patent number: 11476597
    Abstract: An easily removable ground rod connector system for attaching grounding wires to a ground rod, which can be easily added to or removed from the ground rod even after the ground rod has been inserted into the ground and ultimately provides a safe and reliable connection and corrects several existing problems with current connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Inventor: Destry Ray Hedgepeth
  • Patent number: 11421392
    Abstract: An electrically grounded and corrosion-protected assembly includes a metallic structure. At least a portion of the metallic structure is buried in the earth. A water impermeable and electrically conductive cementitious surround is applied to at least a section of the portion that is buried in the earth. The surround is in direct contact with the section and is between the section and the earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: SHORE ACRES ENTERPRISES INC.
    Inventors: Brien Todd Sirola, Christopher Paul Berni, Donald Brien Sirola, Caitlin Emma Morrissey Hughes
  • Patent number: 11307169
    Abstract: A pH sensor with automatic water storage and replenishment, including a substrate, a working electrode, a reference electrode, a first piezoelectric micropump, a water storage device, and a second piezoelectric micropump. The working electrode, the reference electrode, the first piezoelectric micropump, the water storage device, and the second piezoelectric micropump are arranged on the substrate. The working electrode and the reference electrode are each connected to a bonding pad through an electrode lead. The second piezoelectric micropump, the water storage device, and the first piezoelectric micropump are sequentially communicated, and a liquid flows to the working electrode via an outlet of the first piezoelectric micropump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: JIANGSU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Xiliang Zhang, Chengxuan Lu, Cheng Chen, Shengkang Zong, Mengyao Ni
  • Patent number: 11121482
    Abstract: A corrosion-protected electrical assembly includes a metallic component (e.g. a utility pole or a guy anchor rod or direct buried tower steel) having an outer surface, and a water-impermeable, electrically-conductive, covering applied to at least a portion of the outer surface. A covering for a metallic component includes a water-impermeable polymeric matrix, and a particulate carbonaceous material dispersed in the polymeric matrix. A method for protecting a metallic component from corrosion includes applying a covering to an outer surface of the metallic component at the bottom portion of the metallic component. The covering is water-impermeable and electrically-conductive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: SHORE ACRES ENTERPRISES INC.
    Inventors: Brien Todd Sirola, Christopher Paul Berni, Donald Brien Sirola, Caitlin Emma Morrissey Hughes
  • Patent number: 10333234
    Abstract: An electrical grounding assembly includes an electrically conductive metal grounding plate, and a corrosion-protective jacket enclosing the grounding plate. The jacket is electrically conductive and water impermeable. The electrical grounding assembly further includes an electrically conductive line having a first end in electrical contact with the grounding plate and enclosed in the jacket, and an opposed second end outside of the jacket for connection to a structure to be electrically grounded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: SHORE ACRES ENTERPRISES INC.
    Inventors: Brien Todd Sirola, Christopher Paul Berni, Caitlin Emma Morrissey Hughes, Donald Brien Sirola
  • Patent number: 10283881
    Abstract: A grounding system includes an electrical connection device and a ground rod is provided. The electrical connection device includes a ground rod driver, such as a coupler, capable of being connected to the ground rod, and a conductor cable that is welded to the ground rod driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles Mitchell Stilwell, Mamoon Tawfiq Abedraboh
  • Patent number: 9931079
    Abstract: A clamp for securing a terminal end of a wire to a surface electrode formed on a cylindrical tube includes a first semicylindrical element. A second semicylindrical element is configured to be attached to the first semicylindrical element to form a tubular clamp structure that is adapted to be clamped around the cylindrical tube. The tubular clamp structure includes an interior surface configured to securely hold a terminal end of a wire against a surface electrode formed on the cylindrical tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenjeng Li, Steven W. Bennett, David John Little, II, Maria Charles Vijay Stanislaus, David C. Hacker
  • Patent number: 9863165
    Abstract: A post including a cylindrical weighted base having at least three spring-loaded retractable legs. When the post is to be stored, the legs are pulled together and pushed inside the post via slotted openings at the base of the post. An adjustable position locking tab is used to secure the legs inside for storage and adjusted open for when the legs are to be deployed. In an alternative post, a threaded stake is included for anchoring the post into ground for outdoor applications such as construction sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Inventor: Thanomsak Hongthong
  • Patent number: 9631439
    Abstract: A device which can be used on a water pipe has a first metallic, tubular section and a second metallic, tubular section. The first and second metallic, tubular sections are separated from one another by an electrically non-conductive section. The device also has a first metallic wire that extends through the tubular wall of the first metallic, tubular section in at least five locations and further extends across the first interior three times. The first metallic wire is electrically coupled to the second metallic, tubular section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Inventor: Michael J. Tait
  • Patent number: 9537229
    Abstract: An electrical grounding device comprises an elongate shaft with plate members projecting radially outward from a lower region of the shaft. The shaft and plate members are made of an electrically-conductive material, and are connected such that an electric current can flow between the plates and the shaft. The device is installed by boring a hole into the earth to a selected depth less than the length of shaft above the plates. The grounding device is inserted into the borehole and driven into the earth below the borehole until the upper end of the shaft projects a desired distance above the adjacent earth surface, leaving the shaft projecting sufficiently to allow connection of grounding cables. The borehole is preferably filled with gravel or other suitable fill material, and water may be added to the fill to enhance electrical conductivity between the device and the earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: R U GROUNDED ENERGY INC.
    Inventor: Terry D. Mundle
  • Patent number: 9231315
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical spike connector for electrically contacting a first electrical conducting track of a first electrical line piece (211), said first electrical conducting track being insulated by means of an insulating layer, comprising a socket element (101) having a first conductive spike (105) and comprising a socket mating element (103) for retaining the first electrical line piece, wherein the first conductive spike (105) of the socket element (101) can be pressed against the first electrical line piece retained in the socket mating element (103) in order to pierce the insulating layer and to electrically contact the first electrical conducting track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jürgen Feye-Hohmann
  • Publication number: 20150053451
    Abstract: A ground rod cap is provided. The cap includes a body that fits around a ground rod, ground rod clamp and ground wire at their point of connection. The body retains a filler material within an internal cavity. In some embodiments, a portion of the body acts as a barrier to retain the filler material. In some such embodiments, the filler material is positioned within the body prior to installation of the cap on the ground rod connection components. In some embodiments, the filler material is located in an airtight cavity until installation. In some such embodiments, a shrink-wrap material is placed around the body to make the cavity airtight. In other embodiments, the filler material is retained within at least a portion of the cap by an internal barrier that breaks as the cap is installed to allow the filler material to flow around the components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventor: ALLEN MEYERS
  • Patent number: 8779286
    Abstract: A one piece integrally formed non-metallic electrical box assembly is produced by molding an electrical box onto a metallic ground strap so that the ground strap is fixed to the electrical box. The electrical box is molded with retaining members surrounding selected portions of the metallic ground strap so that the electrical box can be molded onto the metallic ground strap without buckling or deforming the electrical box and the ground strap during the molding process by compensating for the differences in expansion between the non-metallic electrical box and the metallic ground strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard M. Cousineau, Jason W. Crossman, Cerefino A. Reyes
  • Patent number: 8742254
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatus, methods, and systems for grounding outdoor light poles, as well as other structures, which may be exposed to lightning or other adverse electrical effects and may require a low impedance path to ground. Inventive aspects include a combination of apparatus integral to the pole or other structure and installation considerations whereby the ease of installation, reduction of onsite installation error, and reduction of impedance may be tailored to each installation. An apparatus can include a pre-installed earth grounding electrode at the lower end of the pole or structure to be inserted into the earth. A method can include installing an earth grounding electrode to/on/in a lower end of a pole or structure prior to insertion into the earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Musco Corporation
    Inventors: Myron Gordin, David L. Barker, Gabriel P. Gromotka, Gregory N. Kubbe
  • Patent number: 8163993
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatus, methods, and systems for grounding outdoor light poles, as well as other structures, which may be exposed to lightning or other adverse electrical effects and may require a low impedance path to ground. Inventive aspects include a combination of apparatus integral to the pole or other structure and installation considerations whereby the ease of installation, reduction of onsite installation error, and reduction of impedance may be tailored to each installation. An apparatus can include a pre-installed earth grounding electrode at the lower end of the pole or structure to be inserted into the earth. A method can include installing an earth grounding electrode to/on/in a lower end of a pole or structure prior to insertion into the earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Musco Corporation
    Inventors: Myron Gordin, David L. Barker, Gabriel P. Gromotka, Gregory N. Kubbe
  • Publication number: 20120085563
    Abstract: A ground fault protection device includes an electrically-conductive main body defining a reservoir having a plurality of drainage ports, and having downwardly-extending, ground-penetrating electrodes configured for minimal ground penetration. The device has handles for manual lifting and transportation, plus grounding terminals for connection of grounding cables. The device may be installed at a desired field location by applying downward force to the device to press the electrodes into the earth, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the grounding terminals and the ground via the main body and the electrodes. Grounding cables may then be connected between the grounding terminals and structures or equipment requiring grounding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: Terry D. MUNDLE
  • Patent number: 8071876
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement with a high voltage electrode (1) and a process vessel (2) assigned to the high voltage electrode (1), wherein the high voltage electrode (1) and the process vessel (2) can be positioned relative to each other in such a manner that the high voltage electrode (1) with its operational electrode end (5) in an operating position is immersed in the process vessel (2) and in a non-operating position is located outside the process vessel (2). Furthermore, the arrangement includes a grounding device (3), which is designed in such a manner that upon a positioning in the non-operating position it automatically is brought into contact with the operational electrode end (5) for grounding the high voltage electrode (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: selFrag AG
    Inventors: Christoph Anliker, Reinhard Müller-Siebert, Daniel Maurer
  • Patent number: 8044297
    Abstract: A land electrode for a high voltage direct current transmission system including a converter station with a grounding point. The land electrode is connected to the grounding point and includes a plurality of electrode sections. A line electrode includes a part interconnecting two electrode sections. The part of the line electrode exhibits a line resistance. Each electrode section includes at least one electrode element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Gunnar Asplund, Gunnar Flisberg, Lars Weimers, Jan Lundquist, Urban Åström, Dan Karlsson
  • Patent number: 7960647
    Abstract: A lightning protection device having a grounded Franklin rod and a conductive device attached to the rod and defining a predetermined overall shape of a predetermined size therearound. The lightning protection device is particularly devised to limit the amount of corona discharges under the ambient ground fields associated with lightning storms while the upward leader inception requirements remain unchanged during the descent of a lightning leader. The lightning protection device has a corona inception voltage that is substantially insensitive to contamination from pollution, insects, vermin or water droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventors: Farouk A. M. Rizk, Amr Rizk
  • Patent number: 7939751
    Abstract: A return path between a first HVDC station and a second HVDC station. A first electrode is connected to the first station and a second electrode is connected to the second station. The return path includes a first part including a first low resistive zone through the crust of the earth in which the first electrode is embedded. A second part includes the earth mantle. A third part includes a second low resistive zone through the crust of the earth in which the second electrode is embedded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Gunnar Asplund, Olof Heyman, Urban Åström
  • Patent number: 7919711
    Abstract: A utility pole grounding plate including a main section and a plurality of flaps. The main section has a general plate shape adapted to be connected around an outer curved surface of a utility pole. The flaps extend outward from an exterior side of the main section. The flaps are formed by material cut and bent from the main section such that the flaps are integral with the main section. The main section has apertures corresponding to the cut and bent material of the flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Bernard C. Crutcher
  • Patent number: 7915525
    Abstract: A lightning direction device is provided. The lightning direction device includes a drag member, a pendant mass and a conductor. The drag member is configured to have a select amount of wind resistance. The pendant mass has a select weight and shape. Moreover, the conductor is coupled between the pendant mass and the drag member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Canham
  • Patent number: 7902455
    Abstract: Provided is a lighting arrester capable of preventing damage caused by a lightning by discharging charges charged by approach of a thundercloud. The lightning arrester includes: a conductive rod installed at an upper part of an object to be protected from a lightning and connected to a ground part; a charge pipe having a cylindrical shape, formed of an insulating body to be insulated from the rod, and electrically charged with charges having a polarity opposite to ground charges; and a plurality of charge pins disposed on the charge pipe such that space charges in the air are charged to the pins by a thundercloud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: Young-Ki Chung
  • Patent number: 7855337
    Abstract: Power pedestals are provided with an electrical ground connection to rebar encased in a foundation slab of a facility to thereby establish a EUFER ground for the power pedestal. Many pieces of rebar may be present within the foundation slab and may be interconnected to form a rebar network. In addition to the EUFER ground provided by the rebar, other grounding techniques may also be included such as a ground ring formed by ground rods spaced around the foundation slab and interconnected by a buried conductor that encircles the foundation slab. The rebar may be electrically connected to the ground ring to establish the conductivity to the earth. The power pedestal and EUFER ground may be present at various facilities, such as those including outdoor electronics equipment closures such as remote terminals and base stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: John Scherer
  • Patent number: 7832088
    Abstract: A method for using a segmented grounding system, including a bit including a coupling portion at a first end, and a generally tapered second end, a shaft with a first end configured to couple to the coupling portion of the bit, and a second end comprising a receiving structure, and a tool configured to couple to the receiving structure of the second end of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: E & S Grounding Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Stockin, Michael Esparza
  • Patent number: 7795530
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system (1) for conducting lightning currents and/or fault currents away from a roof area (2) and/or façade area of a building (3) to the ground (4). According to the invention, the system is equipped with at least one strip (5), which is laid in the roof area (2) and/or façade area of the building (3) and at least one potential compensation system for the building (3). The strip (5) comprises at least one electrically conductive layer for shielding electromagnetic radiation and the strip (5) is connected to the potential compensation system in such a way that lightning currents and/or fault currents can be conducted away via the strip (5) and the building potential to the ground (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Ewald Dörken AG
    Inventors: Jörn Schröer, Gilles Schwaab, Peter Heinz Raidt
  • Patent number: 7786377
    Abstract: The invention of the present application provides a device that includes an assembly of a toroid and a rod with one or several pointed ends; and a filter system; wherein, around the pointed end or the pointed ends of the rod, an electrical field is formed with air ionization, wherein in the space around the toroid formation of electrical fields and air ionization are minimized, wherein the pointed end projects out above the toroid level, and wherein the filter system attenuates the electrical discharge of lightning rays. The device of the present invention is connected to a low resistance cable that goes to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Humberto Arenas Barragan
  • Patent number: 7732707
    Abstract: An installation structure of a ground rod for driving the rod deep into the ground comprising an overhead earth wire installed to protect transformers, power-transmission lines, etc. from lightning; a ground wire that is extended from a lightning arrester to a ground; a multi-stage ground rod elongated by a thread type connection and connected with the end of the ground wire that it is buried into the ground; and a connecting sleeve for connecting the ground rod to the ground wire, the electric conductive compound preventing corrosion in the thread connection including a lead terminal side junction of the and a ground wire side junction of the connecting sleeve. Corrosion of the gap between junctions is inhibited by inserting electric conductive compound into the junctions of the lead terminal side and of the ground wire side of the ground wire connecting sleeve, increasing ground rod lifetimes and decreasing maintenance costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Korea Electric Power Corporation
    Inventor: Geun Hwan Kim
  • Publication number: 20090183890
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for deep earth grounding includes positioning a power driver at a site, the power driver comprising a frame and an impact hammer operatively connected to the frame, adjusting placement of the impact hammer, raising the impact hammer, driving 10 foot sectioned grounding rods down into the ground at the site using the hammer, testing resistance, and determining if more additional grounding rods are necessary based on the resistance. A power driver device includes an open frame, guide rails operatively connected to the frame, an impact hammer operatively connected to the guide rails and moveable along the guide rails, and a hand crank assembly operatively connected to the frame and configured for raising the guide rails and the impact hammer up and down along the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventor: RICHARD L. TEEBKEN
  • Patent number: 7495168
    Abstract: Disclosed therein is an electric dipole streamer discharge type lightning conductor, which can gather electric charges in the atmospheric air at one side thereof and generate an electric discharge due to a dielectric breakdown when a potential difference is formed between the electric charges gathered by an electric dipole and the electric charges of the earth so as to emit a great deal of electric charges of the earth toward thunderclouds to thereby induce a thunderbolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Sunkwang LTI Inc
    Inventor: Woo-Heon Park
  • Patent number: 7462776
    Abstract: An all stainless steel grounding electrode uses a coating of stainless steel for an upper collar which has a dual purpose cable connector. The cable connector can accommodate a cable lug and bolt connection or a cad weld connection. A cap for the collar has a one quarter turn dual heavy duty thread set to prevent corrosion from locking up the cap. An osmotic material is placed and replaced in the grounding electrode via the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Lightning Eliminators & Consultants, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Carpenter, legal representative, Nathan M. Mascarenas, Darwin N. Sletten, Roy B. Carpenter, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080164047
    Abstract: An electrical grounding strip has a first link and a second link, wherein the second link is connected directly to the first link, and each of the first and second links has a portion lying substantially in a plane and has at least one electrically conductive spike attached to the portion. The spike projects generally orthogonally to the plane of the link portion. An electrically conductive ground strap is in electrically conductive contact with the spikes of each of the first and second links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Michael R. Obleman
  • Patent number: 7282637
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provided herein may include segmented grounding system, including a bit including a coupling portion at a first end, and a generally tapered second end, a shaft with a first end configured to couple to the coupling portion of the bit, and a second end comprising a receiving structure, and a tool configured to couple to the receiving structure of the second end of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: E&S Grounding Solutions
    Inventors: David R. Stockin, Michael Esparza
  • Patent number: 7230179
    Abstract: A stray voltage suppression device includes a motor-driven conductive vane which rotates in planes oriented at least substantially parallel to the ground, with the motor casing being connected to the ground below. The device has been found useful to reduce or eliminate stray voltage about the area at which it is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Inventor: Scott Martin Ertl
  • Patent number: 7221565
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a grounding part of hard disk (HDD) against EMI and shock, which includes a HDD body and two conducting frames, wherein the two conducting frames are composed of a narrow vertical plane and two parallel planes extending along two corresponding sides of the vertical planes to form a U-type conducting frame with an opening, a plurality of elastic projections are disposed on the two parallel planes of the two conducting frames, and the openings of the two frames just accommodate the two corresponding sides of the HDD body. When the HDD body and the two conducting frames is installed in a containing room of an electronic device (e.g. notebook computer), the requirements of shock protection, EMI protection and grounding for the HDD body is achieved by virtue of the compression of those elastic projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Yu-Shi Ko
  • Patent number: 7112742
    Abstract: To maintain an interior environment in an environment in which negative ions are abundant, and to stably maintain the environment at a higher level with maintaining an efficacy of the charcoal included in a paint containing a charcoal powder applied to a wall face in a room, a floor face in the room is formed by an insulator and the wall face is made to have a grounding electric potential by connecting it to a grounding electrode buried in a ground according to a method of the invention. The grounding electrode device includes a main body formed in a bottomed tubular body by a metal, and a charcoal and a catalyst are accommodated in the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Healthcoat Clearway Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michiharu Yoshimatsu
  • Patent number: 6979207
    Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting a ground wire and a ground rod. The electrical connector having a metal body including a top and a cylindrical side wall. The body having a first internal wall defining a ground rod cavity and a second internal wall defining a ground wire cavity being positioned adjacent to and in communication with the ground rod cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: E & J Demark, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Wenger, David M. Harman
  • Patent number: 6963026
    Abstract: A ground rod includes first and second ends connected by a shaft portion. The first end has an auger configuration permitting it to be drilled into the ground. The opposite end is adapted to attached to either an electric drill or an impact wrench. This drastically reduces the time required to drive the ground rod into the ground. In an alternate embodiment, the ground rod also adapted to attach to a handle which allows it to be manually inserted or removed from the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventor: Bob Brennan
  • Patent number: 6930239
    Abstract: A ground bar includes a bar, a head securely connected to a first end of the bar, and a cap securely connected to a second end of the bar. The head is composed of a solid cone and a hollow sleeve securely connected to the solid cone and having a diameter larger than a diameter of the bar in such way that the outer periphery of the bar is protected so that after the head is extended into the ground, the outer periphery of the bar is protected from damage. The outer periphery of the hollow sleeve has slits defined thereon for guiding dirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Inventor: Kuo-Hsiung Chen
  • Patent number: 6916983
    Abstract: A grounding electrode suited for installation in very hard or rocky soil is a long conductive metal rod having a drilling bit at one end and a head adapted to mate with a drilling tool, preferably a hammer drill. The grounding electrode, together with a suitable connecting wire and a clamping device clamping the wire to the grounding electrode form an electrical grounding system for a home or commercial structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Tocini Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Orsini, Daniel Toce
  • Patent number: 6815607
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for electrically grounding and supporting poles or posts which are used in electrical and/or telecommunication networks. The system includes a conductive base support affixed at or near the base of the pole and to which the ground wire is attached. The base support not only provides resistance to lateral forces, thereby anchoring the bottom of the pole, but also presents a relatively large surface area for electrical bonding with the soil/earth at the bottom of the pole which facilities grounding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Inventor: Marc Gingras
  • Publication number: 20030192713
    Abstract: A grounding electrode suited for installation in very hard or rocky soil is a long conductive metal rod having a drilling bit at one end and a head adapted to mate with a drilling tool, preferably a hammer drill. The grounding electrode, together with a suitable connecting wire and a clamping device clamping the wire to the grounding electrode form an electrical grounding system for a home or commercial structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph Orsini, Daniel Toce
  • Patent number: 6555742
    Abstract: An earth ground terminal provides an electroconductive substrate part and an electroconductive spring contact which protrudes integrally from one edge of the substrate part toward the side opposite to the substrate part. Through holes which have undergone a burring process are formed in the aforementioned substrate part. The earth ground terminal is used to prevent electromagnetic inductive interference, high-frequency inductive interference, etc. The earth ground terminal is effective when a printed substrate is grounded by a shield plate or a chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Logistics AG
    Inventor: Izuru Kumagai
  • Patent number: 6515220
    Abstract: An improved grounding electrode system includes a moisture collector connected to a grounding electrode. The electrode may have a perforated conductive tubular assembly having at least two circular conductive collars. The whole electrode assembly is buried in the earth with the top end exposed and surrounded by an osmotic conductor. The tubular assembly can be filled with a chemical which enhances the soil conductivity. The moisture collector is preferably a mesh screen to condense moisture from the air and pipe it to the inside of the grounding electrode and/or to the surrounding soil. An osmotic conductor may be inside the electrode and/or in the surrounding soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Lightning Eliminators & Consultants, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy B. Carpenter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6137049
    Abstract: An electrical ground connector assembly for providing a fast, secure, moisture-resistant ground connection without using special tools. The electrical ground connector assembly includes a ground rod and a cap having an tapered rod chamber for receiving the ground rod. The cap also includes a slot for receiving a ground wire. The angle of the slot may vary, depending on the diameter of the ground wire. The cap may be cylindrical or rectangular in shape. In installation, the ground wire is inserted into the slot of the cap. The upper end of the ground rod is forced into the rod cavity of the cap by any suitable manner, such as hammering the cap down over the ground rod. As the upper end of the ground rod reaches the end of the rod cavity, a compression contact is made between the wire and said ground rod. Alternatively, the ground rod can first be driven into the ground, and then the ground wire and the cap can be assembled on the ground rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: E & J DeMark, Inc.
    Inventor: John David Hecock
  • Patent number: 6040522
    Abstract: An electrically grounded land surface mounting for an electrical fixture such as an airport runway approach light is disclosed. A flanged member connects a frangible coupling to a long, straight steel rod driven into the ground at the site. The coupling accepts a post supporting the light and can be broken if an aircraft wing or tire should strike it. The flanged member is adjustably clamped onto a first end of the rod extending above the surface of the ground at the site, and the remainder of the rod is buried in the ground at the site to discharge any electrical charge in the fixture or in the atmosphere around the fixture in accordance with the National Electrical Code or other grounding requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventor: William C. Beggs
  • Patent number: 5694286
    Abstract: A lightning protection apparatus having a tower which is grounded to the earth, an electronic device mounted onto an area adjacent a top of the tower, and a negative ion production device electrically connected to the area of the top of the tower. The negative ion production device serves to produce solely negative ions around and over the electronic device. An auger rod engages the earth so as to be conductively connected to the earth, and an electrical line serves to connect the auger rod to the tower. A shield member is connected to the tower and extends over the electronic device. The negative ion production device is connected to the shield member so as to pass negative ions through the shield member. The negative ion production device can be one or more batteries that are connected together and having a negative terminal connected to the tower and a positive terminal connected to the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Inventors: William J. Fowler, Benjamin P. Fowler
  • Patent number: 5608186
    Abstract: The entire outer surface of a ground rod, including its pointed end portion, has a continuous and uniform electroplated coating. The rod has a blunt end portion shaped to minimize mushrooming when it is hammered for driving the rod into the ground. Jets of plating solution directed against the rod produce swirling motion of plating solution around the rod while it moves longitudinally through a plating bath. Uniformity of the plated coating may be enhanced by rotating the rod during longitudinal movement through the plating bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Albert L. Collins, Jr., Rick A. Boyd, Herbert L. Bradshaw, II, Alvin J. Huber, Charles T. Wessner, Dennis B. Ruch
  • Patent number: 5497091
    Abstract: A surface-mounted pH sensor provides continuous pH profiling with depth during standard cone penetration testing (CPT). The pH sensor includes at least two electrodes, one being an antimony electrode and the other being a ceramic electrode. The electrodes are mounted to the shaft of a cone penetration device, and make contact with underground fluids during CPT. The antimony electrode, which functions as a measurement electrode, creates an exchange equilibrium between the hydrogen ions in the underground fluids and the ions of the antimony. This equilibrium creates a potential in the antimony electrode which is measured against the stable reference potential of the ceramic electrode. The resulting potential difference is indicative of the pH level of the underground fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Applied Research Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley L. Bratton, J. Christopher Bianchi
  • Patent number: RE42331
    Abstract: An all stainless steel grounding electrode uses a coating of stainless steel for an upper collar which has a dual purpose cable connector. The cable connector can accommodate a cable lug and bolt connection or a cad weld connection. A cap for the collar has a one quarter turn dual heavy duty thread set to prevent corrosion from locking up the cap. An osmotic material is placed and replaced in the grounding electrode via the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Lightning Eliminators & Consultants, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy B. Carpenter, Jr., Peter Carpenter, legal representative, Nathan M. Mascarenas, Darwin N. Sletten