AU2010201371A1

AU2010201371A1 - Arrangements Relating to the Bracing of Electric Power Cables

Info

Publication number: AU2010201371A1
Application number: AU2010201371A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ryan Claude Chapman; Georges Nabil Semaan; Andrew Jay Thompson
Original assignee: Tyco Electronics Energy Pty Ltd
Current assignee: TE Connectivity Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2009-04-07
Filing date: 2010-04-07
Publication date: 2010-10-21
Anticipated expiration: 2030-04-07
Also published as: AU2010201371B2; NZ584476A

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant(s): Tyco Electronics Energy Pty Ltd Invention Title: Arrangements Relating to the Bracing of Electric Power Cables The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: - 2 ARRANGEMENTS RELATING TO THE BRACING OF ELECTRIC POWER CABLES Technical Field 5 The present invention relates to arrangements and novel components of products aimed at bracing electrical power cables. 10 Background of the Invention Typically a multiplicity of parallel electrical power cables having conductive outer layers will be mounted between power poles. The mounting must allow for thermal 15 expansion and contraction and be tolerant of weather conditions including high winds. Frequently it is necessary to brace the power cables from one another so they do not clash, which may cause shorting and electrical systems failures. One approach is to use insulating 20 transverse spreader rods which operate to spread or separate the cables at spaced apart locations between the poles. The rods typically connect to the electrical cables using clips. Metal connector clips have been typically favored for such applications, however it is now 25 appreciated that metal clips can create problems, especially after a period of installation. Although the metal clips can be fabricated from stainless steel wire and be resilient and resistant to 30 weather conditions themselves, it has been found that chaffing and corrosion can occur at the point of connection with the metal outer layer of the electric cable. Dissimilar metals are prone to electrolytic effects, which can be exacerbated by atmospheric 35 pollution, salt air and the like. 2228987_1 (GHMatters) - 3 Summary of the Invention In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a connector for securing an s electrical cable to a spreader rod, the connector comprising: a body comprising a securing portion arranged to secure to the spreader rod; first and second legs which extend on either side of 10 the body, each of the legs comprising a cable supporting portion comprising an abrasion resistant surface arranged to support a portion of the electrical cable, wherein at least one of the legs is resiliently biased relative to the body such that in use the at least one leg urges the 15 supported portion of cable towards the spreader rod for securing thereto. In the context of the specification, the term "abrasion resistant surface" is to be understood as any 20 surface that is compatible with the cable such that in ordinary use the surface does not wear, erode or otherwise damage the electrical cable. For example, in one embodiment, the surface may be formed of a thermoplastic polymer such as a UV resistant Nylon which is compatible 25 with a metal outer conductor of the electrical cable. In an embodiment the cable supporting portion comprises an insulating engagement element which couples to the respective leg so as to isolate the cable from the 30 leg. The engagement element may comprise a body having a cavity defined therein for cradling the portion of the electrical cable. In an embodiment the engagement element has a block 35 like body, the cavity being defined in an upper surface of the block-like body. 22289871 (GHMatters) - 4 In an embodiment the engagement element body is formed of a polymeric material, such as a UV resistant Nylon. 5 In an embodiment each leg has a proximal portion and distal portion interconnected by an intermediate portion and the engagement element has corresponding grooves in its side walls for receiving the proximal and distal portions. 10 In an embodiment the proximal and distal portions are spring biased towards one another to retain the engagement element. 15 In an embodiment the securing portion comprises a substantially helical structure which is resilient such that movement of the legs towards one another around an axis extending through the helical structure causes the helical structure to flex and slightly increase in 20 diameter to facilitate the installation of the securing portion along the spreader rod. In an embodiment one of the legs includes an end gripper portion located at a distal end of the leg to 25 provide a finger grip to facilitate resilient displacement of the leg relative to the securing portion of the connector to facilitate installation of the connector on the spreader rod. 30 In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a connector for securing an electrical cable to a spreader rod, the device comprising: a body comprising a securing portion arranged to secure to the spreader rod; 35 first and second legs which extend on either side of the body, each of the legs being shaped so as to receive a cable supporting portion comprising an abrasion resistant 2228987_1 (GHMatters) - 5 surface arranged to support a portion of the electrical cable, wherein at least one of the legs is resiliently biased relative to the body such that in use the at least one leg urges the cable support element towards the 5 spreader rod for securing the supported electrical cable to the spreader rod. In an embodiment the engagement element comprises a body having an abrasion resistant upper surface shaped so 10 as to support the surface of an electrical cable, the body further comprising a mounting portion configured to cooperate with a leg of the connector to retain the engagement element on the leg. 15 In an embodiment the upper surface has a cradle-like cavity defined therein for supporting the electrical cable. In an embodiment the body is formed of a polymeric 20 material. In an embodiment the polymeric material is UV resistant nylon. 25 In a third aspect the present invention consists in a resilient connector for mounting on a spreader rod which is to extend transverse to parallel electrical cables and the connector is adapted to engage with a block-like insulating engagement element to be resiliently urged by 30 the connector into connecting engagement with the surface of an electrical cable, the connector having a securing portion for pivotal mounting on a spreader rod whereby it can move around the axis of the spreader rod, first and second legs extending from the securing portion 35 respectively, to extend laterally of the spreader rod and to opposite sides thereof, each leg having means to mount and retain an insulating block-like engagement element 2228987_1 (GHManers) - 6 having a cradle-like cavity for in use abutting the surface of an electrical cable, at least one of the legs of the connector being resiliently displacedly mounted relative to the securing portion for movement around the 5 axis to permit engagement of the cradle-like cavity on the face of the engagement element and to urge the engagement element generally towards to the electrical cable when installed such that on release of the leg, resilient forces of the connector urge the cradle-like cavity of 10 each engagement element on each leg to engage the electrical cable. In a fourth aspect, the invention consists in an engagement element for use with a connector as defined in 15 the above aspects. The engagement element may be defined as having a body which is elongate and in use is to extend along an axis parallel to the axis of the electrical cable into 20 which it is engaged, with a base wall, two side walls and upper wall defining the cradle-like cavity for engagement with the electrical cable, and the engagement element having means for mounting the body on a leg of the connector. 25 In an embodiment, each leg of the connector may be defined as having a proximal portion and distal portion interconnected by an intermediate portion, and the engagement element may have corresponding grooves in its 30 side walls for accommodating the proximal and distal portions of the leg, the proximal and distal portions being spring biased towards one another to retain the engagement element. 35 Furthermore, in embodiments the base wall of the engagement element may also include a groove for engaging and retaining the intermediate portion of the leg. 2228987_1 (GHMatters) One of the legs of the engagement element may also include an end gripper portion extending beyond the distal portion to provide a finger grip to facilitate resilient 5 displacement of the leg relative to the mounting portion of the connector to facilitate installation. In an embodiment, the securing portion can be of the nature of a substantially helical structure which is 10 resilient whereby movement of the legs towards one another around the axis of the securing portion causes the helical structure to flex and slightly increase in diameter to facilitate the installation of the mounting portion along a cylindrical spreader rod, whereby the connector may be is moved to the desired location along the spreader rod and the legs released to cause resilient engagement on the spreader rod. The second step of installation is when the connector 20 is to be engaged on an electrical cable. The preferred embodiment has a structure wherein the insulating block-like engagement element on one leg is pivoted by motion of the whole connector around the spreader rod to bring the cradle-like structure into engagement with a 25 portion of the electrical cable laterally offset to one side of the spreader rod and then the other leg is resiliently displaced to permit engagement of the engagement element of the second leg with the electrical cable. 30 Suitable materials have been found to be stainless steel grade 316 for integral resilient connectors and abrasion resistant PVC to be used for the engagement element to be secured on each leg of the connector. With 35 advantage the spreader rods can be made from solid high impact strength, UV resistant PVC. 2228987_1 (GHMatters) - 8 Brief Description of Drawings Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of s embodiments thereof, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the following: Figure 1 is an isometric review of a connector in 10 accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a rear view of the embodiment of Figure 1 in the direction of arrow A; Figure 3 is a plan view of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a front elevation of the embodiment of 15 Figure 1; Figure 5 is a bottom view of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a left side elevation of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a right side view of figure 1; Figure 8 is an isometric view of the connector clip 20 shown in Figures 1 to 7; Figure 9 is an isometric view from the front and above of one of the mounting blocks used in the connector of Figures 1 to 7; Figure 10 is an isometric view from below and the 25 rear of the mounting block; and Figure 11 is a view of the device when installed. Description of an Embodiment With reference to the Figures, there is shown 30 connector 10 for securing an electrical cable to a spreader rod, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The connector comprises a body 13 comprising a securing portion 18 arranged to secure to the spreader rod (see particularly Figure 11). First and 35 second legs 20, 22 extend on either side of the body 13 and comprise a cable supporting portion 11 comprising an abrasion resistant surface arranged to support a portion 2228987_1 (GHMattmr) - 9 of the electrical cable 14. At least one of the legs is resiliently biased relative to the body 13 (in the illustrated embodiments both legs are resiliently biased) such that in use the at least one leg urges the supported 5 portion of cable 14 towards the spreader rod 16 for securing thereto. An advantage arising through use of such a connector is that cable abrasion may be avoided by virtue of the abrasion resistant surface provided on the support portion 11, thereby increasing the lifespan of the 10 connector 10. Further advantages will become apparent in subsequent paragraphs. In more detail, the connector 10 is in the form of a spring wire clip unit 10 which couples to two cable 15 supporting portions in the form of engagement blocks 11. The engagement blocks 11 effectively isolate the outer sheath of the conductive cable from the metal legs 20, 22. The engagement blocks 11 are cradle-like in shape with a semi-circular abrasion resistant engagement surface 12 and 20 adapted to be engaged under and against the periphery of an electrically conductive cable 14, as shown in Figure 11. Figures 1-8 show the spring connector clip unit 10 in its relaxed position, but on installation, as shown in Figure 11, a spreader rod 16 will pass axially through a 25 helical securing portion 18 of the spring clip and that rod 16 will rest on top of the electrical cable 14. Under the inherent resilient restoring forces of the spring clip unit 10, the blocks 11 are urged upwardly under the electrical cable 14 which thus would cause the assembly 30 when installed to adopt the position of Figure 11. The spring clip 10 is conveniently of austenitic stainless steel grade 316 and integrally formed with a first leg 20 extending from one end of the helical 35 securing portion 18 and a second leg 22 extending from the opposite end. The first leg 20 has a laterally projecting portion 24, a downwardly extending proximal portion 25, a 2228987_1 (GHMaters) - 10 connecting intermediate portion 26 and an upwardly extending distal portion 27 terminating in a laterally extending tip 28. 5 The second leg 22 has an angled laterally extending inner portion 30 leading to a downwardly extending proximal portion 32 which connects to an intermediate or connecting portion 34 leading to an upwardly extending distal portion 36 and terminating in a further leg 38 10 leading to a finger grip 40 of circular shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting blocks 11 are identical in construction and comprise a cradle shaped cavity 40 formed in the upper face, a base wall 42 and 15 grooves 43 extending down side walls 44 to intersect with a corresponding groove 45 formed between ribs 46 in the base wall 42. These grooves accommodate the respective portions of the legs of the spring clip 10. This is best shown in Figures 9 & 10. 20 Assembly of the product as shown in Figure 1 is simply accomplished by fitting the engagement blocks 11 in position relying on displacing apart slightly against inherent biasing the proximal and distal portions of each 25 leg of the spring clip. The connector is fitted onto a spreader rod by urging towards each other the engagement blocks 11 (i.e. as seen Figure 2 the left block A is urged clockwise and the right 30 block and second leg urged anti-clockwise). This can be by finger pressure, thereby tending to open the helical securing portion 18 to slightly increase its diameter so it may be slid along a solid insulating spreader rod to the desired position. When the mounting blocks 11 are 35 released, the helical securing portion 18 contracts to engage frictionally with a periphery of the spreader rod 16 but does permit pivoting of the whole connector 2228987_1 (GHMatters) - 11 around the rod. This is best shown in Figure 12. Installation to achieve the position as shown in Figure 11 is accomplished by pivoting the connector on the 5 spreader rods so that the mounting block 11 associated with the first leg 16 moves up under the electrical cable and contacts its surface. Under finger pressure, the other mounting block is then manipulated downwardly and under a portion of the electrical cable laterally offset 10 relative to the spreader rod on the opposite side to the first mounting block. It is released to come up under the cable and engage it. It will be understood that in an alternative 15 embodiment to that described above, the engagement blocks may be integrally formed with the legs 20, 22. Equally, the actual shape of the blocks 11 may not necessary be block-like (which is particularly suited to the illustrated embodiment in view of the bends defined in the 20 connector legs), but instead could take on other shapes that still serve the purpose of coupling the cable to spreader rod in an abrasion free manner. For example, the engagement element may have a generally u-shaped outer dimension. Further, in an embodiment, the surface of the 25 engagement element may be coated with an abrasion resistant coating and the element itself may be formed of a different material. Such modifications and alterations are within the purview of the skilled person. 30 In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, 35 i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 2228987.1 (GHMaters)

Claims

1. A connector for securing an electrical cable to a spreader rod, the connector comprising: a body comprising a securing portion arranged to secure to the spreader rod; 10 first and second legs which extend on either side of the body, each of the legs comprising a cable supporting portion comprising an abrasion resistant surface arranged to support a portion of the electrical cable, wherein at least one of the legs is resiliently biased relative to 15 the body such that in use the at least one leg urges the supported portion of cable towards the spreader rod for securing thereto.

2. A connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cable 20 supporting portion comprises an insulating engagement element which couples to the respective leg so as to isolate the cable from the leg, the engagement element comprises a body having a cavity defined therein for cradling the portion of the electrical cable. 25

3. A connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the engagement element has a block-like body, the cavity being defined in an upper surface of the block-like body. 30

4. A connector as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the engagement element body is formed of a polymeric material.

5. A connector as claimed in claim 4, wherein the 35 polymeric material is UV resistant nylon.

6. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, 22289871 (GHMatter) - 13 wherein each leg has a proximal portion and distal portion interconnected by an intermediate portion and the engagement element has corresponding grooves in its side walls for receiving the proximal and distal portions. 5

7. A connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein the proximal and distal portions are spring biased towards one another to retain the engagement element. 10

8. A connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the securing portion comprises a substantially helical structure which is resilient such that movement of the legs towards one another around an axis extending through the helical structure causes the is helical structure to flex and slightly increase in diameter to facilitate the installation of the securing portion along the spreader rod.

9. A connector as claimed in any one of the preceding 20 claims, wherein one of the legs includes an end gripper portion located at a distal end of the leg to provide a finger grip to facilitate resilient displacement of the leg relative to the securing portion of the connector to facilitate installation of the connector on the spreader 25 rod.

10. A connector for securing an electrical cable to a spreader rod, the device comprising: a body comprising a securing portion arranged to 30 secure to the spreader rod; first and second legs which extend on either side of the body, each of the legs being shaped so as to receive a block-like engagement element comprising an abrasion resistant surface arranged to support a portion of the 35 electrical cable, wherein at least one of the legs is resiliently biased relative to the body such that in use the at least one leg urges the engagement element towards 2228987_1 (GHMatters) - 14 the spreader rod for securing the supported electrical cable to the spreader rod.

11. An engagement element for use with a connector as 5 claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the engagement element comprising a body having an abrasion resistant upper surface shaped so as to support the surface of an electrical cable, the body further comprising a mounting portion configured to cooperate with a leg of the io connector to retain the engagement element on the leg.

12. An engagement element as claimed in claim 10, wherein the upper surface has a cradle-like cavity defined therein for supporting the electrical cable. 15

13. An engagement element as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the body is formed of a polymeric material.

14. A connector as claimed in claim 12, wherein the 20 polymeric material is UV resistant nylon.

15. A resilient connector for mounting on a spreader rod which is to extend transverse to parallel electrical cables and the connector is adapted to engage with a 25 block-like insulating engagement element to be resiliently urged by the connector into connecting engagement with the surface of an electrical cable, the connector having a securing portion for pivotal mounting on a spreader rod whereby it can move around the axis of the spreader rod, 30 first and second legs extending from the securing portion respectively, to extend laterally of the spreader rod and to opposite sides thereof, each leg having means to mount and retain an insulating block-like engagement element having a cradle-like cavity for in use abutting the 35 surface of an electrical cable, at least one of the legs of the connector being resiliently displacedly mounted relative to the securing portion for movement around the 2228987_I (GHMaer) - 15 axis to permit engagement of the cradle-like cavity on the face of the engagement element and to urge the engagement element generally towards to the electrical cable when installed such that on release of the leg, resilient 5 forces of the connector urge the cradle-like cavity of each engagement element on each leg to engage the electrical cable.

16. A connector as claimed in claim 15, wherein each leg io has a proximal portion and distal portion interconnected by an intermediate portion and the engagement element to be used has corresponding grooves in its side walls for accommodating the proximal and distal portions of the leg, the proximal and distal portions being spring biased 15 towards one another to retain the engagement element.

17. A connector as claimed in claim 16, wherein one of the legs includes an end gripper portion extending beyond the distal portion to provide a finger grip to facilitate 20 resilient displacement of the leg relative to the securing portion of the connector to facilitate installation.

18. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the securing portion has a substantially helical 25 structure which is resilient whereby movement of the legs towards one another around the axis of the securing portion causes the helical structure to flex and slightly increase in diameter to facilitate the installation of the mounting portion along a cylindrical spreader rod, whereby 30 the connector may be moved to the desired location along the spreader rod and the legs released to cause resilient engagement on the spreader rod.

19. An engagement element for use with a connector as 35 claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18 for securing a spreader rod transverse to parallel electrical cables, the engagement element being an insulating block-like element 2228987_1 (GHMattes) - 16 having a cradle-like cavity for engaging the surface of an electrical cable, and having a mounting portion configured to cooperate with a leg of the connector to retain the engagement element on the leg. 5

20. An engagement element as claimed in claim 19, wherein the element has a body which is elongate and in use is to extend along an axis parallel to the axis of the electrical cable into which it is engaged, with a base 10 wall, two side walls and upper wall defining the cradle-like cavity for engagement with the electrical cable, and the engagement element having means for mounting the body on a leg of the connector. is

21. An engagement element as claimed in claim 19 or 20, and adapted for use with a connector having each leg defined by a proximal portion and distal portion interconnected by an intermediate portion, and the engagement element to be used has corresponding grooves in its side walls for 20 accommodating the proximal and distal portions of the leg, the proximal and distal portions being spring biased towards one another to retain the engagement element.

22. An engagement element as claimed in claims 19, 20 or 25 21, wherein the base wall includes a groove for engaging and retaining the intermediate portion of the leg.

23. Connection apparatus comprising a connector as claimed in any one of claims 1-4 and an engagement element mounted 30 on each leg of the connector and as claimed in any one of claims 5-8.

24. Connection apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the apparatus is adapted to be installed and engaged with an 35 electrical cable by pivoting the connector around the spreader rod to bring the cradle-like structure into engagement with a portion of the electrical cable 2228987_1 (GHMatters) - 17 laterally offset to one side of the spreader rod and then the other leg is resiliently displaced to permit engagement of the engagement element of the second leg with the electrical cable. 5 2228987_1 (GHMatters)