US3868615A

US3868615A - Current sensitive interrupting terminator assembly

Info

Publication number: US3868615A
Application number: US414637A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harold Dennis Haubein; Lloyd R Beard
Original assignee: AB Chance Co
Current assignee: AB Chance Co
Priority date: 1973-11-12
Filing date: 1973-11-12
Publication date: 1975-02-25
Anticipated expiration: 1992-02-25
Also published as: CA999033A

Abstract

A current sensitive interrupting terminator assembly especially useful for joining an overhead noninsulated electrical conductor to an insulated cable buried in the ground and which functions as an electrical cutout as well as an outdoor terminator. The assembly includes a unitary support adapted to be mounted in an upright position adjacent the terminal portions of the conductor and cable to be joined. This support includes a lower insulated terminator portion which has a cavity in the lower end thereof for receipt of a flexible, cable-receiving terminator section, while an upper cutout insulator portion of the support mounts on the cutout device of the assembly. The terminator and cutout support is of rigid insulating material such as porcelain or an epoxy resin for mechanical strength and longevity, while the cable receiving terminator section of the assembly is fabricated of an elastomeric composition to snugly engage the cable insulation for maximum water tightness even under conditions where relative movement takes place between the assembly and the conductor or cable, or when thermal expansion and contraction occurs by virtue of the differing materials employed in fabricating the internal components of the assembly.

Description

[ Feb. 25, 1975 [57] ABSTRACT A current sensitive interrupting terminator assembly especially useful for joining an overhead noninsulated electrical conductor to an insulated cable buried in the ground and which functions as an electrical cutout as well as an outdoor terminator. The assembly includes a unitary support adapted to be mounted in an upright position adjacent the terminal portions of the conductor and cable to be joined. This support includes a lower insulated terminator portion which has a cavity in the lower end thereof for receipt of a flexible, cable-receiving terminator section, while an upper cutout insulator portion of the support mounts on the cutout device of the assembly. The terminator and cutout support is of rigid insulating material such as porcelain or an epoxy resin for mechanical strength and longevity, while the cable receiving terminator section of the assembly is fabricated of an elastomeric composition to snugly engage the cable insulation for maximum water tightness even under conditions CURRENT SENSITIVE INTERRUPTING TERMINATOR ASSEMBLY Harold Dennis Haubein; Lloyd R. Beard, both of Centralia, Mo.

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Filed: Nov. 12, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 414,637

US. 337/169, 337/171, 337/187 [51] 'Int. Cl. H01h 71/10 [58] Field of Search 337/169, 171, 187, 201,

[56] I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS v United States Patent 1191 Haubeinet al.

73 Assignee: A. B. Chance Company,

where relative movement takes place between the assembly and the conductor or cable, or when thermal expansion and contraction occurs by virtue of the differing materials employed in fabricating the internal 337/l75 X 337/201 X 337/201 X s u H n n n h u 0 m m J n m in. m M "N" fl m mmm m am .30 mmammku E ku d hk I M m mhmmom em ESFTLLL .H a

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m r y 1 CURRENT SENSITIVE INTERRUPTING TERMINATOR ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to unique apparatus which combines the functions of a conventional current sensitive interrupting device with that of a terminator used in joining an underground insulated cover cable with an exposed, uninsulated overhead conductor. More parpower by means of underground distribution cables as opposed to overhead conductors. Such underground cables are joined in many instances to pole-supported power lines, which requires a-suitable terminator unit for effecting aconnection therebetween. Additionally, in such applications'an electrical, cutout or other current-interrupting device is normally interposed within the system to protect the latter from the effects of fault or overload currents which could cause damage to associated electrical components.

Such terminator and cutout devices have heretofore been separately utilized by placing a cutout on the crossarm of a utility pole, with a conductor lead extending downwardly away from the cutout. At a point below the cutout assembly some type of terminator was employed to join the overhead powerline with the underground cable to complete the electrical and mechanical connection of the separate conductors.

These practices have created problems in the installation and use of underground electrical cables powered by overhead lines that have never before been satisfactorily solved, particularly in situations where space is at a premium on electrical poles or in proximal surrounding areas.-The cumbersome nature of separate cutouts and terminators with respective connection leads has been even more troublesome when a series of conductors required interconnection, as for example is to the undesirable reduction of phzase-to-phase or phase-to-ground spacings if too much slack is provided in the connector leads between the'respective cutout and terminator units, which can lead to undesirable short circuiting if the leads accidentally come into contact. Moreover, installation and repair of such closely spaced assemblies has proven to be a difficult and time consuming job.

The cutout and termination assemblies of the prior art have also been objectionable in many cases because vof the cluttered appearance they present on the overhead poles. For example, a series of three adjacent cutouts attached to a pole required three terminators disposed substantially directly below. As can be appreciated, in situations where a multiplicity of power lines are required, the electrical poles soon become crowded, thereby giving rise to aesthetic problems as well as those of a mechanical or electrical nature as described.

SUMMARY It has been discovered that the aforementioned problems'and deficienciescan be solved by providing an assembly which combines the functions of an electrical cutout and outdoor terminator in a single compact unit. In general, the apparatus comprises an elongated, integral, insulative support member having an upper cutout portion and a lower terminator portion. A cutout device is affixed to the upper cutout portion of the support to form a conductive path for current from an incoming power line joined thereto. The lower portion of the insulative member is provided with a longitudinal open-ended bore which is constructed and arranged for the reception of an elastomeric terminator section.

The terminator section received within the bore is adapted to electrically connect a conductive transition ferrule disposed within the bore (which is electrically connected through the cutout device to the incoming power line) with an outgoing electrical cable to provide a continuous current path through the assembly. Further, the terminator is constructed to allow easy insertion of the underground cable in the field.

The spatial arrangement of the integrally joined cutout and terminator in the present invention has been found to be important in overcoming the difficulties mentioned above. That is, placing the cutout above the terminator and in close proximity along a common,

generally vertical axis insures that when the cutout operates in fault current situations, the objectionable expulsion gases are discharged away from the lower terminator section. In this way the terminator is not subject to harmful hot gaseous products as in previous constructions. This protective function may be further enhanced by the use of a'gas shield interposed in the space between the bottom of the cutout device and the terminator section therebelow.

In certain embodiments of the present invention it has been discovered that materials of differing physical properties can be used to form the main rigid insulative support member without affecting the performance of the overall apparatus. For example, a flexibilized thermosetting synthetic resinous material such as epoxy resin gives good results. Alternatively a rigid material such as porcelain is also advantageous for certain operations. As can be appreciated, the varying physical characteristics ofthe illustrated materials requires that certain modifications be made in specific embodiments in order to attain the necessary strength and weather resistance. These include the use of a reinforcing rod in the upper portion of the support when yieldable materials are employed, or the use of an elastomeric potting compound around the interior of the terminator bore when rigid, generally nonexpansible porcelainlike material is utilized.

The cutout device mounted on the upper cutout portion of the insulative support preferably includes a conductive upper line terminal affixed to the member with an incoming power line connected thereto. An elongated, hollow fuse link tube having an open bottom and releasably connected to the upperline terminal is also provided. This depends from the upper terminal in substantially parallel, spaced relationship with the insulaoverloadcurre'nt with'the resulting hot gases being-discharged either'from the open lower end or from both ends of the fuse tube.'Aportion of the fuse link in turn extends downwardly-through the length of the tube and is conductively connectedby its lower portion to a lower rotary contact member. This contact member also carries biased ejector means which acts to urge the 1 attachedtube out of contact with the upper line terminal after interruption has been accomplished by melting of the fuse link. This biasing action is tensionably restrained'in normal use by the lower portion of the fusible element which extends out of the bottom of the fuse link tube and is drawn across the ejector and connected to the rotary Contact member.

Therefore, when a fault current (as in a short circuitsituation) isexperienced in the cutout device, the fuse I link' melts causing hot. expulsion gases to be emitted from the lower, open-end of the tube, away from the lower terminator portion disposed below. Simultaneously with this action, the fusible element depending from the fuse link is severed, which causes the restraint on the ejector means to be eliminated. As a consev} quence, biasing force of theejector means is then unrestrained, and the attached tube is moved outof contact with the upper line terminal.

The terminator is provided with unique means for joining the underground cable conductor to the lower' contact of thecutout device. A metal transition ferrule within the bore of the terminator portion of the assembly support is electrically connected to the lowerhood arms of the cutout device and receives a female tulip contact ,threadably, joined thereto. A tubular elastomeric terminator sleeve section permanently joined to the support within the bore of the lower portion thereof in surrounding relationship to the female 'contac t projectsdownwardly from the support and has a cable entryway therethrough for receiving an underground cable in snug, watertight engagement with the insulative cover thereof while a male contact crimped ontothe conductor of the cable is adapted to be removably received in the female contactin firm electrical interengagement therewith, The terminator sleeve section not only retainsits flexibility under widely varyingambienttemperature and weather conditions but also its moisture and weather'integrity conditions to which the assembly conditions is subjected.

THE DRAWINGS assemblies attached to the crossarm of an electrical utility pole or other supporting structure;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of one of the combination cutout and terminator assemblies of FIG. 1, shown without the gas shield attached to the lower line terminal of the cutou't'assembly;

FIG. 3 is aside elevational view, partially'broken away and in'section, showing'a combination electrical cutout and terminator assembly produced in accordance with theinvention and having a synthetic resin I support provided with a solid reinforcing core in the upper portion thereof; I I

- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along sight-line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 isa side elevational view in section, showing DETAILED DESCRIPTION A series of three current responsive interrupting terminator assemblies produced in accordance with the invention are shown in perspective i'n'FIG. 1 and are generally referred to by the numeral Each of the elongated, integral, insulative common support member 16 having an upper cutout portion ,18 and a lower terminator portion 20 (see FIG. 2). Referring specifically to FIG. 3, the configuration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in detail. In this instance, the exterior portion of the support member 16 is composedof a yieldable therr'nosetting, synthetic resinous material, such as epoxy resin in its cured state. In preferredv forms the support member 16 is cast from a composition including a 2,2- bis (p-hydroxyphenyl) propane-glycidyl ether polymer, a curing agent for the resin, from 15% to 65% by weight of an aliphatic polyglycidyl ether or .ester, and from 0.01% to,3% by weight ofan alkylidene bis, tris or polyphenol. As seen in the drawing, the upper portion of the support member 16 is molded abouta reinforced core rod 22. This is preferably composedof 2,2-bis (phydroxyphenyl) propane-glycidyl .ether polymer rein- 45 'forced with glass fibers extending longitudinally of the rod. Particularly good results have been obtained by the use of Epon I001 epoxy resin distributed by the Shell Chemical Company. This is a hydrophobic, curablethermosetting re'sin of the type outlined above. This resin can be used to mold both' the outer portion of the support 16 as well as the core 22, by known methods.

Support member 16 is integrally capped as at 24 and has a series of spaced, circumferential skirts 26 disposed along the length thereof. The skirts are interrupted in the central area 27 of member 16 to receive assembly mounting means 31. As is well-known in the art, skirts 26 are provided to increase the leakage distance between the upper cutout terminal 28 and mounting means 31 as well as between the latter and the lower cutout terminal 30' thus inhibiting leakage current flow along the surface of the support between these points. Also, it is well-known that sufficient distance should be provided between the cutout terminals 28 and 30 (FIG. 3) in order to obviate the possibility of flashover therebetween in situations of intense fault current.

another specific embodiment of the present invention separate devices is attached bybracket means 12 to 'crossarmlS' of pole 14. In general, each device has an The upperterminal 28 is connected to a flange means 34 by means of a pair of bolts 32. As shown in FIG. 3, this flange means is internally attached to rod 22 in a gripping relationship therewith. This is preferably accomplished by integrally molding the cup-like segment 35 of flange means 34 about core rod 22, followed by molding the support member 16 about the rod and connected flange. The flange 34 extends beyond the extetransverse stop 42 across the ends thereof. This hood casting 38 also carries a depending upper contact plate 44 between the arms 40.

An elongated fuse link tube 46 is releasably connected to the upper line terminal described above. A manual release function is provided by locking means 48 which includes a pryout lever 50 for manual operation which is pivotally connected as at 52 to a ferrule 47 on the upper portion of the fuse link tube 46. Also I extending inwardly from this point is a pair of actuating arms 54 which straddle the fuse link tube and are adapted to move generally vertically to actuate stop 42 in unlocking operations. In this instance they extend under stop 42 to lift the latter during manual unlocking.

Extendinginwardly from upper portion of the ferrule 47 is an integral closure bracket 56 which includes an upturned contact lip 58. This contact lip serves the dual function of providing a positive electrical contact with the contact plate 44 as well as providing a secure locking function with the stop 42.

As further shown in the drawing, the fuse link tube 46 depends from the upper. line terminal in a substantially parallel, spaced relationship with the insulative member 16. The lower end 60 of the tube 46 is open to allow hot expulsion gases to exit therefrom during fault or high current situations; This occurs when fusible element 62 melts or otherwise severs under the influence of a fault or overload current. This melting causes the fusible element 62 to sever from the fuse link within the tube 46 to initiate the current interrupting action of the cutout device. The hot gases resulting from this severance are directed out of the open end 60 and, in some extreme instances, out the closed, burnstable cap 64 which is threadably mounted on ferrule 47.

As previously discussed, this gas expulsion can have deleterious effects upon electrical components disposedbelow the cutout device. This normally happens because the components become enveloped in the expulsion gases and conductive particles resulting from melting and decomposition of the fuse link are deposited on the insulator skirts. Under extremely adverse conditions the insulator can actually be scorched by the hot gases exiting from the fuse tube. The present invention obviates this difficulty by the particular spatial arrangement of the cutout and terminator of the assembly. Specifically, under high fault conditions when the gases exit from the fuse link tube of the present invention, they are directed parallel to or away from the terminator disposed to one side thereof, but do not in general envelop it to cause the aforementioned effects. Moreover, because the terminator is partially telescoped within bore 94 provided in the lower portion of support 16, it is further protected from such gases.

In other preferred embodiments, this result is enhanced by the use ofa gas shield 66 which is interposed in the space between the bottom 60 of fuse link tube 46 and the lower terminator portion (FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 3, this can be achieved by attaching a synthetic resin gas shield plate to the rearward end of the lower terminal with the work portion 68 thereof being angularly disposed relative to the lower portion of the member 16 within the space. Shield 66 serves to deflect any impinging gas streams away from the lower portion 20 of member 16 to thereby further protect the same.

A ferrule 70'is attached to the lower end of the fuse link tube 46 and includes an integral, depending latch portion 71. Ferrule 70 is pivotally connected by transverse pin 72 to lower rotary contact member 74 which is in turn carried within lower'terminal 30 and in electrical contact with tongue 73 mounted within the latter in order to complete the electrical circuit through the cutout assembly. Rotary contact member 74 is also pivotally mounted as at 76 to the lower line terminal 30. For this purpose, line terminal 30 has a pair of spaced, rearwardly projecting bearing arms 78 which detachably receive opposed transverse gudgeons extending outwardly from rotary contact member 74. A connection plate 79 is pivotally secured to the underside of rotary contact member 74 and includes an upstanding connection arm 80 which engages the depending latchportion 71 of ferrule 70. A torsion spring 83 is positioned about the transverse axis of plate 79 and is in engagement with the lower surface of the contact member 74. Spring 83 thus acts as a biased ejector means which urges tube 46 out of contact with the upper line terminal 28 when unrestrained. This urging is normally tensionably restrained by tightly drawing the lower portion of fusible element 62 across the connection plate 79 and attaching the end thereof to the forward portion of rotary contact member 74 by means of nut 87.

In faultor overload current situations after the fusible element is severed as previously described, fuse link tube 46 falls downwardly about the pivot 72 to disengage latch portion 71 and connection arm 80 and move the rearward edge oflip 58 out of contact with stop 42. Torsion spring 83 is then free to pivot fuse link tube 46 and related apparatus out of contact with upper terminal 28 and the incoming power line. In this way, a reliable electrical cutout is provided that is operable for both emergency and manual operations. Moreover, an indicator of operation is simultaneously obtained which can easily be seen at'ground'level by linemen in the field.

The lower terminal 30 is affixed to the insulative support member 16 in a fashion similar to that described for the upper terminal 28. That is, an integral cup-like member 81 of bracket means 82 is in gripping relationship with core rod 22 and has a pair of opposed. generally flat external flange plates 84 for the reception of terminal 30 by way of bolts 85 and nuts 86.

Also provided in the upper cutout portion 18 is a pole-mounting means 31. Again, this structure is affixed to the assembly 10 by means of the gripping action of an internal annular flange about the rod 22.

Appropriate means are then provided in plate 92 which is bolted to means 31 in the known manner to facilitate installation of the entire apparatus onto a crossa-rm of a utility pole as shown in FIG. 1.

A longitudinal bore or cavity 94 of frustoconical configuration is fashioned within the lower portion of support 16 having the open end thereof communicating with the lowermost end of the support to facilitate reception of elastomericterminator section generally referred toby the numeral 96. A transition ferrule 98 is provided in bore 94 adjacent the upper extremity of such bore, and is electrically connected to the lower line terminal 30 of the cutout assembly to provide a continuous electrical path for current from the incoming power line through the entire apparatus. As shown in FIG. 3, it is advantageous to integrally form bracket means-82 and the upper body portion of ferrule 98 from a conductivematerial such as aluminum which is molded within the insulative support member 16. In this case, the upper portion thereof forms the cup-like member 81 which receives rod 22 in gripping contact therewith while the lower internally threaded sleeve portion 101 communicates with bore 94.

Terminator section 96 is adapted to receive an underground cable 110.having a conductor 108 therein and which is prepared for use by'crirnping the drilled end 107 of a metallic wire connector 106 about the stripped end portion of cable 110. An elongated male contact 100 is threadably secured within the remaining tapped end 104 of connector 106 in order to'provide a secure mechanical and electrical connection therebe tween. A longitudinally slotted, cylindrical female contact member 102 of spring temper copper is threaded into the'aperture 97 in sleeve portion 101 of transition ferrule 98 and is adapted to telescopically re- Member 16 is also provided with a transverse passage 123 therein aligned with the uppermost end of bore 94 and exposinga threaded transverse aperture 122 in transition ferrule 98. Setscrew 124 (best shown in FIG. 7) threaded into aperture 122 has a screwdriver slotted outer head 127 of lesser transverse dimensions than those of passage 123 and is of a length to engage male contact 100 received in ferrule 98. The outer, circumferentially extending surface 129 of head 127 is provided with an annular groove 131 therein which receives an O-ring 133 of a size to sealingly engage the opposed wall surface of member 16 presenting-passage 123.

In practice, it is found that the male contact 100 is advantageously formed of a copper alloy, while the transition ferrule 98 is best formed of cast aluminum and the femal contact 102 is made of copper alloy such as Berylco sold by Berylium Corportion. The wire connector 106 can be formed of a crimpable, soft metal conductive material such as copper alloy or electrical grade aluminum. The cable 110 is a conventional crosslinked polyethylene coated U.R.D. cable. Sleeve portion 113 is preferably fabricated of a synthetic elasto-.

meric material such as ethylene propylene diene (modified) polymer, sold by [.E. du Pont de Nemours and Company, of Wilmington, Del., under thetrademark NORDEL. The conductive jacket 120 molded about ceive male'contact 100 attached to cable 110 through connector 106 as described.

Terminator section 96 is partially telescoped into bore 94 of member 16 and includes an outer sleeve portion 113 of insulative elastomeric material which abuts the lower extremity of transition ferrule 98 and is in co'mple'mental'adhering engagement with the wall surface defining bore 94. An integral inner sleeve 116 is provided along the line bore of sleeve portion 113 and'is constructed of conductive elastomeric material. Sleeve '116 surrounds female contact 102 and defines an inner passage configured to complementally receive the wire connector l06 and at least-a portion of the cover 115 of cable 110 in overlapping relationship the exterior of the sleeve 113 as well as inner sleeve portion 116 are impregnated with carbon particles to render them electrically semiconductive;

In installation operations in the field, the worker first cuts down the leading portion of the cable 110 to expose a section of conductor 108. He then inserts section 108 into wire connector 106 and forms a secure contact therewith, as by crimping. The outer conductive coating 117 on cable 110 is next stripped back to approximately the. line 119. The'male contact 100 is then threaded into the tapped end 104 of wire connector 106 to form a secure conductive attachment with cable 110. The relatively rigid cable and conductor system is subsequently inserted into the mated longitudinal, passage cooperatively defined by

sleeves

113 and 116, jacket 120, female contact 102 and transition ferrule 98, and is urged into the final operative position. This position is determined by engagement of wire connector 106 with the stop ring 114 carried'by the sleeve thereto. An annular washer 114 molded into inner sleeve116 in axial alignment with the passage therethrough is strategically located to serve as a stop for wire connector 106 during insertion of trimmed cable As is mostapparent from FIG. 3, the conductive outer coating 117 normally enveloping coating 115 is trimmed back to about the line indicated by the number 119 which is still within the confines of sleeve por- 113 and also may be confirmed by physical inspection throughout the threaded aperture 122 which normally carried setscrew 124. That is, the setscrew may be re moved and the cable and conductor then forced upwardly through the sleeve and associated apparatus to a point where it abuts the stop ring 114. The worker may then inspect the installed contact through the aperture 122 to insure that the cable is in proper position. At this point, he inserts setscrew 124 to frictionally engage and removably retain the contact in'ferrule 98.

It is to be understood that in the foregoing embodiment of the present invention, the insulativesupport 15 is advantageously composed of a yieldable material such asthe epoxy resin discussed above. Therefore, in order to insure the requisite structural rigidity for the entire apparatus and to securely hold the relatively heavy cutout assembly, it is generally advantageous to mold the upper portion of the support 16 around a glass reinforced epoxy rod 22. Additionally, the upper and

lower line terminals

28 and 30 and the mounting a gripping relationship with the rod. In keeping with the physical characteristics of the yieldable material used for the outer portion of the support 16, it is generally not necessary to provide additional structural elements in the lower'portion 20 of member 16 for the reception of terminator section 96'. A conventional adhesive or cement desirably is used between sleeve 113 and support 16 to further insure a secure connection therebetween.

Moreover, the yieldable nature of both sleeve 113 and support 16 precludes any problems of expansion and contraction .due to varying weather conditions. Without the yieldable properties which are inherent in the present embodiment, changing weather conditions encountered in use could cause problems with cracking, splitting or bond failure of the outer support member as the internal components expand or contract.

In another preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. and 6, the support member 216 is composed of a rigid material such as porcelain. In this case, the aforementioned yieldable qualities are absent, and appropriate modifications are necessary to overcome the problems mentioned.

In keeping with these properties of the rigid support member 216, the upper portion 218 thereof is preferably hollow'as at 222 in order to minimize the weight of the entire assembly and to facilitate potting thereof. However, a porcelain cap 219 is provided to close the top endof the porcelain sleeve. Likewise, the respective upper and

lower terminals

228 and 230 and the pole support (IIOL'ShOWl'l) need not be integrally molded wit'h the support 216 but can be attached thereto by means of external,

insulated bands

220 and 221 which'grip the outer surface of the rigid-support.

The

bands

220 and 221 tightly surround support 216 and are attached by means of

arcuate flanges

232 and 234 which are integralwith the

respective terminals

228 and 230 and abut support 216. A pair of bolt means 236 is employed to secure the band 220 to flange 232, and similarly bolt means 238 are employed to secure band 221 to lower flange 234 of lower terminal230.

The required conductive connection between the lower terminal 230 and the transition ferrule 240 is preferably achieved by useof a conductive stud 242 which extends from terminal 230 through an aperture 226 in the wall of the support 216, and may be threaded into a tapped bore 244 within transition ferrule 240 toelectrically engage contact 246. The space surrounding stud 242 within aperture 226 is filled with silicone rubber 248 to provide a watertight seal.

The use and installation of the terminator section 296 (which in all respects is similar in construction to terminator section 96 of the previously discussed embodiment) also requires certain-modifications. Specifically, because of the rigid nature of the support 216, it has been found advantageous to. employ a bore 294 of somewhat larger dimensions in conjunction with a flexible potting compound 250 interposed in this excess volume between the outer surface of the sleeve 252 and the interior of the bore 294.

The use of such a potting compound in thepresent embodiment serves adual purpose. First, it provides the necessary resilient flexibility between the female sleeve 252 and the support member 216. This action is especially significant due to the dissimilarity of the materials used in each case, and the resultant problems created by changing weather conditions.

Secondly, the potting compound serves as a cement or adhesive to unite terminator section 296 with support 216, thereby providing a secure retention of the former within bore 294.

In preferred embodiments this potting compound is a flexible epoxy formulation such as BISPHENOL A, which is an epoxy resin flexibilized with polyoxypropylene diamine (PPDA), having a molecular weight of between 400 and 1,000. In such mixtures, a ratio of approximately 50 parts by weight of PPDA, having a molecular weight of between 400 and l,000. In such mixtures, a ratio of approximately 50 parts by weight of PPDA for each parts by weight of resin has been found to be advantageous because it bonds well with The remainder of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is identical in configuration to that described for FIGS. 3 and 4. That is, the elements of the cutout as-.

sembly, gas shield and internal conductive parts and sleeve of the terminator means are identical in both instances. Also, installation of a cable into the assembly of FIG. 5 is carried out in the same way described with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 3. Therefore, a detailed discussion of this apparatus and installation procedures would be superfluous and is omitted.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A current sensitive interruptingterminator assembly for joining ends of an overhead conductor and an underground cable having a conductor therein terminated by a male contact, said assembly comprising:

an elongated, relatively rigid support member of insulative material adapted to be disposed in an upright position; current interrupting means including an open-ended fuse tube of lesser length than said support member, a meltable fuse element in the tube, an upper terminal adapted to be connected to said end of the overheadv conductor, means mounting the fuse tube for pivoting movement from a location with the fuse element in electrically connected relationship to the upper terminal, to a position out of electrical connection therewith, and means engaging the fuse tube and I operated by the meltable element for shifting the fuse tube out of said location in response to melting of the element;

means mounting said current interrupting means on the upper portion of said support member in disposition with the fuse tube located 'to face downwardly when the support member is in said upright position thereof,

said support member being provided with an elongated, normally downwardly opening bore therein;

a bored flexible sleeve of insulative material telescoped into said bore, affixed to said support member and projecting downwardly from the lower end thereof is generally axial alignment with the longitudinal length of the support member;

a female contact within said sleeve and located to be engaged by the male contact on said Conductor of the cable when the latter is inserted into said sleeve bore,

11 -the inner surface of the sleeve defining said sleeve bore being configured to complementally engage the part of the cable received therein in watertight, frictional engagement therewith; and

means electrically connecting said female contact with the meltable fuse element.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein an inner tubular portion of said sleeve is of elastomeric material containing sufficientelectrically conductive particles to render said tubular portion semiconduc-- tive, the tubular portion overlying at least part of the female contact and terminating in spaced relationship from the lowermost end of the sleeve.

3. An-assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for electrically connecting the female contact with the meltable element includes a transition ferrule encased in said support member and in engagement with said female contact, extension means projecting from the support member andelectrically connected with-the ferrule, and means for electrically joining the meltable element with said extension means.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support member is provided with shiftable setscrew means in the wall thereof located for movement into frictional holding engagement with said male contact on the cable conductor when the cable is inserted in said sleeve. 1 i

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said setscrew means is provided with O-ring means thereon engageable with the support member for preventing passage of watertherepast during normal use of the assembly. 1 Y

6. An assembly asset forth in claim 1 wherein the lower portion of the support member receiving the sleeve isof substantially lesser length than the upper portion of the support member carrying said current interrupting means.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein is provided shield means between the lower open end of the fuse tube and the lower exposed part of the sleeve to preclude discharge of hot gases from the tube directly onto the sleeve when the fusefelement melts and the tube is shifted fromv said. location thereof toward said position of the same.

8. A current sensitive interrupting terminator assembly for joining adjacent terminal portions of'a pair of conductors and comprising:

an elongated, substantially rigid support of insulative material adapted to be mounted in an upright position adjacent said terminal portions ofthe conductors, the lower end of said support having an open ended cavity therein;

an elongated, hollow, insulative fuse. link tube of lesser length than said support and provided with i an open end; g e

a fuse link within the tube and extendingout of said open end thereof, said link being operable to melt in' response to passage of afault or overload current therethrough of predetermined magnitude;

means mounting the tube and link assembly on the support above the lower end thereof and in spaced relationship therefrom with the open end of the same facing downwardly, said mounting means including first mounting structure pivotally supporting the lower end of said tube for pivoting about an axis transverse of the longitudinalaxis of said support, and said mounting structure spaced above said first structure operable to releasably maintain said tube in an upright position, said fuse link extending from the lower open end of said tube and being connected to said assembly; biasing means cooperablewith said fuse link to urge said tube out of engagement with said second mounting structure after said fuse link melts; means electrically connecting one of said conductors to said fuse link carried within said tube; conductive connector means receiving the other of said conductors in electrically conductive engagement therewith and telescoped within said cavity; flexible means substantially filling the free volume between the interior walls of said cavity and said connector means and characterized by the property of being sufficiently flexible over the entire operating temperature range to which the device is subjected during usage thereof to preclude damage to said device by virtue of thermal expansion and contraction of said connector means; means electrically joining said connector means with said fuse link to complete the current path through said device; and I means securing said flexible means and connector components within said cavity.

9. The assembly of-claim 8 including a gas shieldv interposed in the space between the open'lower end of said fuse link tube and the lower end of said support.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said shield is connected to saidfirst mounting structure with the work portion of said shield being angularly disposed within said space.

11. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said first mounting structurecomprises an integral conductive hood casting attached to said elongated support pivotally supporting a rotary contact member, said contact member being connected to the lower end of said fuse link tube.

12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said fuse link extends from .the open lower'end of said tube and is fixedly connected to said rotary contact member.

13.;The assembly of claim l2 wherein a spring loaded ejector means operable to urge said tube out of engagement with said second mounting structure is mounted on-the lower surface of said rotary contact member with said fuse link being tensionably drawn thereacross to restrain said urging whereby said ejector means is actuated after said fuse link melts.

14. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said second mounting structure comprises a conductive terminal attached to said elongated support at a point above said first mounting structure and having integral means for the connection of one of said conductors.

IS. The assembly of claim 14 wherein said second mounting structure includes ahood casting carrying a pair of spaced, angularly depending arms with a transverse stop thereacross.

16. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the upper end of said fuse link tube is provided with a manually actuatable structure :rel easably coupled to said second mounting structure to provide means'for disengaging said tube and second mounting structure to effect manual interruption of said current.

17. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the cavity is of frustoconical cross section.

18. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said support is composed of a thermosetting, synthetic epoxy resin 13 having a rigid core longitudinally disposed within the portion thereof above said cavity.

19. The assembly of claim 18 wherein said support has a series of integral, spaced, circumferentially extending skirts along the length thereof.

20. The assembly of claim 18 wherein said support and core therefor are cast from a composition including a 2,2-bis (p-hydroxyphenyl) propane-glycidyl ether polymer, a curing agent, from to 65%by weight of a compound selected from the group consisting of aliphatic polyglycidyl ethers and esters, and from 0.01% to 3% by weight of a compound selected from the group consisting of alkylidene bis, tris and polyphenols, said core being reinforced with glass fibers.

21. The assembly of claim 20 wherein said first and second mounting structures are attached to separate flange means, said flange means being connected 'to said core rod in a gripping relationship therewith.

22. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said support is composed of a rigid insulative material having a series of spaced, circumferentially extending skirts along the length thereof, the portion of said support above said cavity being hollow.

23. The assembly of claim 22 wherein said rigid material is porcelain.

24. The assembly of claim 23, wherein said first and second support members are affixed to flange plates, said flange plates being attached to said support member by insulated bands which grip said member and are connected to said flange plates.

25. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said means for electrically joining said connector component with said fuse link comprises a conductive ferrule within said support electrically connected with said fuse link, the lower portion of said'ferrule having a threaded bore configured for the reception of said connector component.

26. The assembly of claim 25 wherein said first mounting structure is composed of conductive material with the lower end of said fuse link conductively attached thereto, said electrical connection between said fuse link and ferrule being provided by a conductive stud which is mounted on said mounting structure and extends through a bore provided in the wall of said support, to electrically connect with said ferrule.

27. The assembly of claim 25 wherein said ferrule is integral with an external mounting place and said first mounting structure is electrically connected therewith, the latter being composed of a conductive material and having said fuse link conductively connected thereto.

28. The assembly of claim 25 wherein said connector means comprises a slotted, cylindrical female contact member threadably mounted within said bore in said ferrule, and wherein is combined therewith, a cable having a'conductor and an insulating cover thereon, a wire connector secured to the conductor of said cable, and a contact threadably connected to the wire connector and received in said female contact member.

29. The assembly of claim 28 wherein an annular stop ring is carried in the interior of said flexible means and is configured and arranged to be engaged by the outer end of said wire connector to facilitate installation of said cable and associated structure within said cavity.

30. The assembly of claim 29 wherein said flexible means is composed of ethylene propylene diene (modified) polymer.

31. The assembly of claim 30 wherein said flexible means comprises a sleeve extending beyond said cavity to cover a portion of said cable extending away from said assembly.

32. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said support is composed of porcelain and a flexible potting compound is interposed between the interior walls of said cavity and said flexible means.

33. The assembly of claim 32 wherein said potting compound is composed of synthetic epoxy material flexibilized with polyoxypropylene diamine.

34. The assembly of claim 33 wherein said potting compound is approximately 50 parts by weight polyoxypropylene diamine for each parts by weight epoxy.

35. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said means for securing said flexible means and connector components within said cavity is a shiftable setscrew means in the wall of said support for movement into frictional holding engagement with said connector components.

36. The assembly of claim 35 wherein said setscrew means is provided with O-ring means thereon engageable with the support for preventing passage of water the repast during normal use of the assembly.

Claims

1. A current sensitive interrupting terminator assembly for joining ends of an overhead conductor and an underground cable having a conductor therein terminated by a male contact, said assembly comprising: an elongated, relatively rigid support member of insulative material adapted to be disposed in an upright position; current interrupting means including an open-ended fuse tube of lesser length than said support member, a meltable fuse element in the tube, an upper terminal adapted to be connected to said end of the overhead conductor, means mounting the fuse tube for pivoting movement from a location with the fuse element in electrically connected relationship to the upper terminal, to a position out of electrical connection therewith, and means engaging the fuse tube and operated by the meltable element for shifting the fuse tube out of said location in response to melting of the element; means mounting said current interrupting means on the upper portion of said support member in disposition with the fuse tube located to face downwardly when the support member is in said upright position thereof, said support member being provided with an elongated, normally downwardly opening bore therein; a bored flexible sleeve of insulative material telescoped into said bore, affixed to said support member and projecting downwardly from the lower end thereof is generally axial alignment with the longitudinal length of the support member; a female contact within said sleeve and located to be engaged by the male contact on said conductor of the cable when the latter is inserted into said sleeve bore, the inner surface of the sleeve defining said sleeve bore being configured to complementally engage the part of the cable received therein in watertight, frictional engagement therewith; And means electrically connecting said female contact with the meltable fuse element.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein an inner tubular portion of said sleeve is of elastomeric material containing sufficient electrically conductive particles to render said tubular portion semiconductive, the tubular portion overlying at least part of the female contact and terminating in spaced relationship from the lowermost end of the sleeve.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for electrically connecting the female contact with the meltable element includes a transition ferrule encased in said support member and in engagement with said female contact, extension means projecting from the support member and electrically connected with the ferrule, and means for electrically joining the meltable element with said extension means.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support member is provided with shiftable setscrew means in the wall thereof located for movement into frictional holding engagement with said male contact on the cable conductor when the cable is inserted in said sleeve.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said setscrew means is provided with O-ring means thereon engageable with the support member for preventing passage of water therepast during normal use of the assembly.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the lower portion of the support member receiving the sleeve is of substantially lesser length than the upper portion of the support member carrying said current interrupting means.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein is provided shield means between the lower open end of the fuse tube and the lower exposed part of the sleeve to preclude discharge of hot gases from the tube directly onto the sleeve when the fuse element melts and the tube is shifted from said location thereof toward said position of the same.

8. A current sensitive interrupting terminator assembly for joining adjacent terminal portions of a pair of conductors and comprising: an elongated, substantially rigid support of insulative material adapted to be mounted in an upright position adjacent said terminal portions of the conductors, the lower end of said support having an open ended cavity therein; an elongated, hollow, insulative fuse link tube of lesser length than said support and provided with an open end; a fuse link within the tube and extending out of said open end thereof, said link being operable to melt in response to passage of a fault or overload current therethrough of predetermined magnitude; means mounting the tube and link assembly on the support above the lower end thereof and in spaced relationship therefrom with the open end of the same facing downwardly, said mounting means including first mounting structure pivotally supporting the lower end of said tube for pivoting about an axis transverse of the longitudinal axis of said support, and said mounting structure spaced above said first structure operable to releasably maintain said tube in an upright position, said fuse link extending from the lower open end of said tube and being connected to said assembly; biasing means cooperable with said fuse link to urge said tube out of engagement with said second mounting structure after said fuse link melts; means electrically connecting one of said conductors to said fuse link carried within said tube; conductive connector means receiving the other of said conductors in electrically conductive engagement therewith and telescoped within said cavity; flexible means substantially filling the free volume between the interior walls of said cavity and said connector means and characterized by the property of being sufficiently flexible over the entire operating temperature range to which the device is subjected during usage thereof to preclude damage to said device by virtue of thermal expansion and contraction of said connector means; means electrically Joining said connector means with said fuse link to complete the current path through said device; and means securing said flexible means and connector components within said cavity.

9. The assembly of claim 8 including a gas shield interposed in the space between the open lower end of said fuse link tube and the lower end of said support.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said shield is connected to said first mounting structure with the work portion of said shield being angularly disposed within said space.

11. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said first mounting structure comprises an integral conductive hood casting attached to said elongated support pivotally supporting a rotary contact member, said contact member being connected to the lower end of said fuse link tube.

12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said fuse link extends from the open lower end of said tube and is fixedly connected to said rotary contact member.

13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein a spring loaded ejector means operable to urge said tube out of engagement with said second mounting structure is mounted on the lower surface of said rotary contact member with said fuse link being tensionably drawn thereacross to restrain said urging whereby said ejector means is actuated after said fuse link melts.

15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein said second mounting structure includes a hood casting carrying a pair of spaced, angularly depending arms with a transverse stop thereacross.

16. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the upper end of said fuse link tube is provided with a manually actuatable structure releasably coupled to said second mounting structure to provide means for disengaging said tube and second mounting structure to effect manual interruption of said current.

18. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said support is composed of a thermosetting, synthetic epoxy resin having a rigid core longitudinally disposed within the portion thereof above said cavity.

20. The assembly of claim 18 wherein said support and core therefor are cast from a composition including a 2,2-bis (p-hydroxyphenyl) propane-glycidyl ether polymer, a curing agent, from 15% to 65% by weight of a compound selected from the group consisting of aliphatic polyglycidyl ethers and esters, and from 0.01% to 3% by weight of a compound selected from the group consisting of alkylidene bis, tris and polyphenols, said core being reinforced with glass fibers.

21. The assembly of claim 20 wherein said first and second mounting structures are attached to separate flange means, said flange means being connected to said core rod in a gripping relationship therewith.

23. The assembly of claim 22 wherein said rigid material is porcelain.

25. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said means for electrically joining said connector component with said fuse link comprises a conductive ferrule within said support electrically connected with said fuse link, the lower portion of said ferrule having a threaded bore configured for tHe reception of said connector component.

28. The assembly of claim 25 wherein said connector means comprises a slotted, cylindrical female contact member threadably mounted within said bore in said ferrule, and wherein is combined therewith, a cable having a conductor and an insulating cover thereon, a wire connector secured to the conductor of said cable, and a contact threadably connected to the wire connector and received in said female contact member.

34. The assembly of claim 33 wherein said potting compound is approximately 50 parts by weight polyoxypropylene diamine for each 100 parts by weight epoxy.

36. The assembly of claim 35 wherein said setscrew means is provided with O-ring means thereon engageable with the support for preventing passage of water therepast during normal use of the assembly.