Patents Examined by Laramie E. Askin
  • Patent number: 4845316
    Abstract: A strain relieving device for electric cables of different diameters comprises a base plate and three rows of cylindrical pins extending perpendicularly to a plane of the base plate with the pins of the inner row being asymmetrically offset from the pins of the outer rows. Cables of different diameters are fitted between the pins, where they are retained by friction forces. A strain relieving device of this type facilitates considerably the operation of fitting and exchanging cables without the need for any tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Michael Kaercher
  • Patent number: 4845307
    Abstract: A wildlife guard, designed to prevent an electrically grounded animal, such as a bird or small mammal, from contacting energized electrical equipment. A one-piece construction fabricated from an insulating material, such as a high-density polyethylene, the wildlife guard can be installed on energized electrical equipment using standard live-line tools, thereby obviating the need to shut down the electrical power. The guard includes inner protrusions to fit below the topmost skirt of an insulator bushing, outer protrusions to be grabbed by a live-line tool, and a lengthwise slot through which a conductor is forced during installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Fargo Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Carl P. Cumming, Russell H. Kraft
  • Patent number: 4842221
    Abstract: An improved tether having a central strength member comprised of layers of synthetic fibers surrounded by a thin weatherproof plastic barrier. A current carrying metallic braid surrounds the weatherproof barrier and in a portion of the tether is of a higher strength and denser weave copper than in other areas. An outer protective jacket surrounds the metallic braid and one or more windows are formed by removing a short longitudinal section of the outer jacket above an area of the tether which has the high density metallic braid. The weatherproof barrier, at least in the area where windows are formed, is heat sealed to form a seamless barrier. A relatively soft copper wire is wound around the metallic braid in the window area so as to transfer lightning induced currents in the metallic braid of the tether to a grounding system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Glenn R. Beach, Myron S. Wheeler, Paul R. Jakubowski
  • Patent number: 4843187
    Abstract: A gasket assembly including a base having a central opening and a circular slot having an undercut portion extending around the central opening, a circular gasket positioned in the circular slot and having a tapered side located proximate the undercut portion, and cementitious sealant material abutting the tapered side of the gasket and in the undercut portion for retaining the gasket in the slot. The gasket assembly is especially useful for the seal for the pressure relief valve of an electrical power transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Qualitrol Corporation
    Inventor: Wendell D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4841101
    Abstract: In the sealed feedthrough construction disclosed herein, a maximally compliant solder joint is provided between the low expansion ferrule of a glass insulted feedthrough connector and a bore in an enclosure bulkhead of a high expansion metal. The desired uniform radial thickness is established by providing a step on either the outer diameter of the ferrule or the inner diameter of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Inventor: John A. Pollock
  • Patent number: 4841102
    Abstract: A shielding string comprising at least at its surface a wire testure is arranged in a groove between the surfaces of two juxtaposed parts of a housing for electronic apparatus in order to attain a sealing for high frequency. This shielding string is cut accurately to size from a longer piece, while at the cutting areas loose wire parts of the texture can be formed, which, after the shielding string has been arranged, can fall into the housing containing the electronic circuit and can give rise there to short circuits. In order to avoid this, the ends of the shielding string are inserted into blind holes, which are provided in the groove. The groove can be widened in the area of the blind holes so that the two ends of the shielding string extend in parallel over a short distance. In order that the ends can be more readily fixed and the wire ends are kept from falling out, the blind holes can be provided with an adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Hans F. K. Elsner, Peter W. Prendel, Wilfried H. K. Kandler, Jurgen Sandkuhl
  • Patent number: 4840547
    Abstract: A protective cap for the hermetic terminal of a hermetic compressor includes a cup-shaped plastic member for attaching to and covering the hermetic terminal during manufacturing, shipping, and storage of the compressor, i.e., whenever the hermetic terminal would not otherwise be connected to an external source of power. The cap contactingly engages the base portion and conducting pins of the hermetic terminal. The protective cap includes a cylindrical stud portion arranged coaxially within an outer cylindrical wall portion of the cup-shaped member. The stud portion slip fits radially inwardly of the circularly arranged conductor pins of the hermetic terminal. A tapered end facilitates guided insertion of the stud portion within the conductor pins prior to engagement of the cap with the hermetic terminal base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Emanuel D. Fry
  • Patent number: 4841098
    Abstract: A fluid cooled feedthrough, for conducting electrical energy at high power levels through a wall of a pressure or vacuum vessel includes a mounting flange for mounting the feedthrough to a mating flange formed at a wall of the vessel. The mounting flange includes a seal for sealing the flange to the mating flange in a high pressure/vacuum sealing arrangement. An insulator tube is secured to the mounting flange in a high pressure/vacuum sealing arrangement. A conductor tube is secured to the insulator tube at a bonding region at an outer end thereof, and the conductor tube conducts electrical energy at high power levels and carries cooling fluid therethrough. The conductor tube defines at least one interior cooling fluid flow passage directly adjacent to the bonding region for conducting away the heat generated at the region incident to the passage of the electrical energy at high power levels. The insulator tube insulates the conductor tube from the mounting flange and from the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: Insulator Seal, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur R. Dunton
  • Patent number: 4841103
    Abstract: An arrangement is provided for the connection of an intermediate repeater for submarine cables, whereby the intermediate repeater is looped into the signal lines of a main cable and is connected to supply lines. The intermediate repeater is looped via an umbilical cord cable which branches off from the main cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Oestreich, Wolfgang Giebel
  • Patent number: 4839473
    Abstract: A waterproof electrical splice enclosure for receiving an electrical connector connecting the ends of a plurality of insulated electrical conductors extending out of the connector in the same direction and parallel to one another. The enclosure comprises an elongate hollow tube having one open end and one closed end and having a cross-section slightly larger than the connector. A connector retainer is provided to retain the electrical connector adjacent the closed end of the tube with the insulated electrical conductors extending out of the open end of the tube, and the tube contains a waterproofing fluid which will not flow out of the tube but which will flow around the connector as it is slid into the tube to provide a waterproof seal around the connector and around and between the insulated conductors. A cap is connected to the tube at its open end by a hinge and has a bulbous protrusion to fit into and close the open end of the tube, and a latch retains the cap in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Albert H. Fox, Ronald C. Johansson
  • Patent number: 4836795
    Abstract: Apparatus for providing an electrical conduction path between a first contact location rotatable a plurality of rotations, in either direction, about a longitudinal axis, and a stationary contact location positioned radially from the rotatable contact location. Such apparatus is comprised of a bifilar spiral spring formed of a length of ribbon cable having at least two electrical conductors. The bifilar spiral coil spring is secured only by connections at its opposite ends to the two contact locations; whereby it uncoils and slidably moves in response to the direction of rotation of the rotatable contact location, and upon reversal of such rotation, recovers its original shape and position between the two contact locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Kabelmetal Electro GmbH
    Inventor: Friedrich Schauer
  • Patent number: 4835341
    Abstract: A high voltage bushing for use in a plasma environment. The bushing is adapted for mounting through a wall of a pressure vessel or the like and includes an elongate insulator having a central bore receiving an electrical conductor. The insulator has a lower portion extending through an opening in the wall and an upper portion extending away from the wall. Mounting hardware is included for retaining the lower portion in the opening. A terminal is held adjacent the free end of the insulator upper portion with the terminal connected to the conductor. The bushing further includes a number of resistive rings positioned about the upper portion of the insulator and a number of annular metallic fins also positioned about the upper portion of the insulator. One of the fins is disposed between each pair of adjacent rings, and the fins extend outwardly beyond the rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Maxwell Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Ira Katz, James R. Cooper
  • Patent number: 4833278
    Abstract: An insulator housing comprising a resin bonded fibre tube carrying water repellent, spirally arranged inner sheds and water sheds made from strips of polymeric material provides improved outdoor electrical insulation. The insulator housing provides greater insulation performance per unit length of housing than prior art structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Hyrdro-Quebec
    Inventor: Peter Lambeth
  • Patent number: 4831214
    Abstract: A joint between high voltage cables is formed by employing a connector having the same diameter as the cable dielectric. A layer of stress controlling material extends from the cable screen on one side of the joint, along the cable dielectric, across the connector, along the dielectric of the other cable and on to the screen of the other cable. A layer of conducting material extends on top of the stress controlling layer and longitudinally encompasses the conductor connector and overlaps the dielectric of both cables. An insulating layer encloses the conductive layer. Further layers of conductive and/or stress controlling material may be applied around the joint. In addition to being used in the formation of a joint between high voltage cables, a layer of stress controlling material with a layer of conducting material on its outer surface is employed in forming a termination of a high voltage cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Raychem GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred H. O. Wilck
  • Patent number: 4831211
    Abstract: A conductive and mechanical energy absorbing gasket is used between an electronics package and a cover of an enclosure to provide microphonics isolation. The electronics package is secured to the cover via a gasket using isolation damping grommets and screws, so that the only substantial transmission of mechanical energy from the case to the electronic package is through the screws themselves. The conductivity of the gasket places the entire enclosure at the same potential as the metal in the electronic package and as the mounting screws, and thus helps prevent the screws from acting as RF antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: Larry D. McPherson, Eliseo Saenz
  • Patent number: 4827081
    Abstract: A high voltage insulator that has a helical configuration in which successive turns are axially spaced apart, and an exposed surface of insulating and substantially non-tracking material. The helical configuration provides a long creepage path length and an ability to shed water. The insulator is sufficiently rigid for it to provide a support, for example, for a high voltage cable or for a fibre optic cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Raychem Limited
    Inventors: Judith L. Seabourne, John S. T. Looms
  • Patent number: 4825015
    Abstract: A shielding string having a conductive surface is arranged between the surface of two juxtaposed parts of a housing for electronic circuits in a groove in one of the housing parts in order to attain shielding against high frequency. This shielding string is arranged before the assembling operation and can readily fall out again prematurely. In order to prevent it from falling out, the form of the groove has several abrupt changes in direction so that the shielding string is pressed against the walls of the groove due to its natural rigidity. Especially with the use of a shielding string with a wire texture at the surface, the grooves are widened in the proximity of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Albert Prott, Peter W. Prendel, Wilfried H. K. Kandler, Jurgen Sandkuhl
  • Patent number: 4824164
    Abstract: To facilitate wire connection work of electric elements disposed in an automotive vehicle door so that the door assembly wiring can be automated, a wire harness is provided which comprises a plurality of parallel-arranged trunk conductors; a plurality of sets of parallel-arranged branch conductors; and in particular a plurality of connector terminals provided at one of each of the branch conductors in such a way as to be each directly connectable to each of the electric elements. The connector terminals are male or female terminals provided so as to project outward and inward from the wire harness surface passing through openings formed in an outer door frame, a trim panel or a decorative panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Nakayama, Yasuhiro Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 4822952
    Abstract: A joint structure for covering a joint between cables is provided in which an insulation structure extends over and beyond cut back ends of insulation layers of the cables, but terminates at a distance ahead of cut back ends of insulation shield layers of the cables. The insulation structure of the joint structure includes a multi-layered, heat shrinkable tube with its ends beveled or "feathered". In assembling the joint, the tube is positioned to overlie the cable conductors and the insulation layers of the cables and is shrunk thereover so as to terminate at a distance from the cut back ends of the insulation shield layers of the cables. The heat shrinkable tube can be manufactured with feathered edges, so that no additional time or labor is required to shape the sleeve when the joint is assembled. The joint structure also includes a semiconductive conductor shield member applied in successive convoluted layers over the exposed conductors of the joint prior to application of the heat shrunk tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Cable Technology Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos Katz, Attila Dima, Bruce Bier
  • Patent number: 4822951
    Abstract: In a busbar arrangement for a switchgear assembly where the load buses pass through apertures in riser supply buses the load buses are supported by the supply buses by insulating grommet blocks occupying the space between the load buses and the inner edges of the apertures. The grommet blocks are held in place by sleeves on the load buses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Westinghouse Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Wilson, Kenneth N. Lam