EP0938759B1 - High voltage assembly with separable elements - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates, in general, to a high voltage assembly comprising separable elements and more particularly such a high voltage assembly in which the continuity of electrical insulation between separable elements is ensured by an element of insulating material, elastically deformable. See, for example, document US-A-4,296,986.

In high voltage systems, for example 40 kV to 150 kV or plus, with separable elements, such as connection of a high voltage cable to a high voltage device voltage, for example a high-voltage generator or the sheath of a X-ray tube, electrical connection is made conventionally by means of paired electrical contacts held in blocks rigid insulation, themselves arranged in metal envelopes allowing a secure mechanical assembly of the connection elements, for example by means of additional threading and tapping on the envelopes or bayonet device. During this connection high voltage separable elements, the male contact of one of elements fits into the female contact of the other element and both elements are brought together under pressure, so that the faces transverse end of rigid insulating blocks, generally flat, press against each other most closely possible, under the action of the pressure exerted by the envelopes metallic, to achieve continuity of electrical insulation between separable elements.

In order to improve the electrical insulation at the interface between the separable elements of such high voltage assemblies and thus avoid as much as possible the appearance of electric shocks between contacts and metallic enclosures forming electrical ground to the interface for separating separable elements, we have usually at this interface oil or insulating grease. We thus avoids the presence of air at the connection interface between the elements, air which has the disadvantage of interrupting the continuity of electrical insulation due to a sudden change in the constant dielectric. The use of oil or grease to improve the continuity of insulation between separable elements of a high voltage, requires complex construction of elements to ensure a seal against oil or grease the high voltage assembly. Indeed, in operation, all of high voltage connection as well as oil or grease are present at a relatively high temperature, and the differences in expansion thermal of the various components of the elements as well as oil or of grease leads to a potential risk of loss of sealing of the whole resulting in an oil or grease leak and by consequently a lowering of the electrical insulation level of the high voltage connection assembly. This sealing problem is particularly important when the high voltage assembly is. found in a rotating system, for example the sheaths of some x-ray x-ray equipment. It is then necessary to provide complex sealing means such as rings bellows to prevent oil or grease leaking from the interface between the separable elements, in particular under the effect of the temperature when using the set to compensate for the volume variation.

In addition, after use, it is sometimes difficult with such known connection assemblies to separate separable elements from the whole.

The object of the present invention is therefore to produce an assembly with high voltage with separable elements, in which it is not no need to use oil or grease to ensure continuity of electrical insulation between the separable elements of all.

Another object of the invention is to provide a set with high tension comprising separable elements which can be easily assembled during manufacture or installation and disassembled after use or intervention.

A high voltage assembly includes at least two elements separable, each of the separable elements comprising at least one electrical contact having a terminal transverse face, said contacts of a separable element electrically connected to said contact of the other separable elements when the elements separable are joined together, in which the continuity of the insulation electrical around the contacts is achieved by means of an element of insulation made of electrically insulating and elastically insulating material deformable, deformed by compression, when the separable elements are connected to each other.

An insulation element deformable ensuring continuity of electrical insulation can be a joint elastically deformable, made of insulating material, arranged between faces transverse end of rigid blocks of insulating material so as to surround the electrical contact (s). The seal is deformed by compression between the terminal transverse faces of rigid blocks of insulating material, to achieve continuity electrical insulation of the high-voltage assembly, when the separable elements are combined.

An elastically deformable joint can be produced in any flexible, elastically deformable insulating material having suitable electrical insulation characteristics and hardness suitable for being able to be compressed between the blocks of material insulating separable elements and deforming enough to perfectly fill, in compressed state, the space between the blocks rigid insulation around the contacts. By deforming by compression, the flexible insulating joint adapts perfectly to the transverse faces rigid insulating blocks and thus remedies possible surface imperfections of these transverse faces terminal.

Preferably, a flexible, elastically deformable seal is in a suitable elastomeric material, such as a silicone elastomer.

The Shore A hardness of the flexible insulating material of a joint is generally between 10 and 50, preferably between 10 and 30.

The pressure exerted by the separable elements on the insulating joint flexible must be sufficient to achieve the desired electrical insulation. Obviously, this pressure will depend on the hardness (flexibility) and the nature of the gasket material and the high operating voltage from the whole.

A flexible insulating joint can be a removable joint, i.e. that it constitutes a separate element from the separable elements. However, this joint can also be integral with a transverse end face a rigid insulating block, for example, by fixing by means of a adhesive suitable for said face.

The transverse faces rigid blocks in insulating material separable have a convex shape where the flexible joint has a shape biconvex, so that when meeting elements separable from the whole, spaces are temporarily formed annular wedges between the flexible joint and the faces transverse end of the rigid insulating blocks of the elements, allowing air to escape from the interface between the two elements separable, until these spaces have completely disappeared when the two separable elements have reached their final position coupling and that the flexible seal compressed under the effect of the pressure exerted by rigid blocks of insulating material occupies the entire space between the blocks of insulating material of the two separable elements. This produces a high voltage assembly comprising separable elements which, when combined, have excellent continuity of electrical insulation.

The convexity of the terminal transverse faces of the insulating blocks or flexible removable joint should be such that the spaces in the form of corner created during the meeting separable elements are only a few degrees to allow air to escape and thus avoid air is trapped at the interfaces between the separable elements and the joint, and to ensure that the flexible insulating joint does not leave no air gaps remain when the separable elements are in their final meeting position. Preferably, the convexity is such that the angle of the wedge-shaped spaces is generally between 1 and 5 °.

A high voltage connector according to one aspect of the invention comprises two separable elements. A first of the separable elements is constituted by an envelope hollow frustoconical shape, open at one end, of material rigid insulation, provided in its bottom wall with one or more electrical contacts, for example female contacts. The second separable element includes a frustoconical block of material electrically insulating, solid, elastically deformable by compression and whose front face is intended to abut against the bottom wall of the frustoconical envelope and comprises one or more electrical contacts, for example male contacts, intended to be connect with the female contact (s) of the first element separable. The height of the insulating block elastically deformable is slightly higher, for example by 1 at 5 mm, at the depth of the interior volume of the envelope rigid tapered hollow.

So when the second separable element of the high connector tension is fitted in the first separable element, then compressed, for example by means of a tightening nut provided on the second separable element and cooperating with a complementary thread provided on the support in which the first separable element is fitted, the elastically deformable insulating block, is deformed so that the elastically deformable material completely fills the internal volume of the hollow frustoconical envelope, coming into contact narrow and without discontinuity with the internal walls of this envelope. An annular seal is arranged between a flange ring of the first separable element and a flange annular of the second separable element.

According to one aspect of the invention, the angle at the top of the frustoconical envelope rigid of the first separable element is slightly greater than the angle at the top of the frustoconical insulation block of the second element separable, so that when the two separable elements are simply nested one inside the other, that is to say without a compression is exerted on the deformable insulation block of the second separable element, there is a small angular annular space, for example from 1 to 5 °, between the inner side wall of the envelope rigid frustoconical and the external side wall of the frustoconical block in elastically deformable insulating material.

Due to the initial presence of the angular annular space between the inner wall of the hollow frustoconical envelope and the wall external lateral of the block of elastically deformable insulating material, the air is expelled and evacuated as the deformation takes place compression of the block of elastically deformable insulating material until the block of elastically deformable insulating material completely fills the interior volume of the frustoconical envelope when the tightening nut is screwed into its final position. We assure thus continuous electrical insulation, without risk of air presence included and without the need to use oil or grease insulating. Obviously, when separating the elements separable, the elastically deformable insulating block regains its initial shape and size.

As previously indicated, the insulation block of the second separable element and / or the annular seal preferably consist of an elastomer suitable, such as a silicone elastomer. This material has generally a Shore A hardness between 10 and 50, of preferably between 10 and 30.

The pressure exerted on the block of elastically insulating material deformable must be such as to allow a reduction in height of the block to the value of the depth of the internal volume of the envelope rigid frustoconical. Obviously, this additional height of the insulating block of elastically deformable material must be such that the block, when completely deformed by compression, fills the entire interior volume of the hollow frustoconical envelope, rigid.

The electrical contact (s) of the second separable element are generally arranged in recesses in the front face of the block of elastically deformable insulating material so that that these contacts do not project outside of this front face of the insulating block. Obviously, these recesses are shaped and sized to receive additional electrical contacts of the first separable element. This avoids any risk of deterioration of the electrical contacts of the second separable element during handling of the connector. Preferably, the contacts electrical devices arranged in the recesses of the insulating block of material elastically deformable are male contacts, and preferably still male contacts laterally forming contact spring intended to be inserted into complementary female contacts carried by the bottom wall of the hollow rigid frustoconical envelope of the first separable element.

Finally, one can provide on the open end of the envelope rigid of the first separable element a flat part and at the rear of the second separable element a flat part or any other means of similar coding, such as positive complementary parts or negative preventing relative rotation of the male elements and female, so that the separable elements cannot be connected in only one position to avoid any deterioration possible electrical contacts during connection. Well Obviously, these keying devices must, to be effective, take action before any engagement of contacts.

figure 1 - une vue schématique en coupe d'un ensemble à haute tension avec les éléments séparables non encore réunis;

figure 2 - une vue de l'ensemble à haute tension de la figure 1 avec les éléments séparables réunis;

figure 3 - une vue schématique analogue à celle de la figure 1, dans laquelle les faces transversales terminales des blocs en matériau isolant ont une forme convexe;

figure 4 - une vue schématique analogue à celle de la figure 1, dans laquelle le joint souple, amovible, en matériau isolant, a une forme biconvexe;

figure 5 - une vue schématique d'un ensemble de raccordement d'un câble à haute tension à un dispositif sous haute tension;

figure 6 - un ensemble modulaire à haute tension;

figure 7 - une vue schématique d'un connecteur haute tension, selon l'invention, avant raccordement des contacts électriques;

figure 8 - une vue schématique du connecteur haute tension de la figure 7, avec les éléments séparables raccordés, mais avant compression du bloc de matériau isolant élastiquement déformable;

figure 9 - une vue schématique du connecteur haute tension de la figure 7, avec le bloc de matériau isolant élastiquement déformable, déformé par compression en fin de raccordement;

figure 10 - une vue schématique d'une partie du connecteur de la figure 7 montrant les différences de conicité des éléments séparables;

figure 11 - une vue partielle d'un élément séparable du connecteur haute tension de la figure 7, montrant un agencement recommandé d'un contact électrique mâle dans un des éléments séparables du connecteur; et

figures 12a et 12b - une vue schématique en perspective d'une autre réalisation d'un connecteur selon l'invention, comportant un détrompeur pour la connexion des éléments séparables.

The remainder of the description refers to the appended drawings which respectively represent:

Figure 1 - a schematic sectional view of a high voltage assembly with separable elements not yet assembled;

Figure 2 - a view of the high voltage assembly of Figure 1 with the separable elements together;

Figure 3 - a schematic view similar to that of Figure 1, wherein the transverse end faces of the blocks of insulating material have a convex shape;

Figure 4 - a schematic view similar to that of Figure 1, wherein the flexible, removable seal, of insulating material, has a biconvex shape;

Figure 5 - a schematic view of a connection assembly of a high voltage cable to a high voltage device;

Figure 6 - a high voltage modular assembly;

Figure 7 - a schematic view of a high voltage connector according to the invention, before connection of the electrical contacts;

Figure 8 - a schematic view of the high voltage connector of Figure 7, with the separable elements connected, but before compression of the block of elastically deformable insulating material;

Figure 9 - a schematic view of the high voltage connector of Figure 7, with the block of elastically deformable insulating material, deformed by compression at the end of connection;

Figure 10 - a schematic view of part of the connector of Figure 7 showing the differences in taper of the separable elements;

Figure 11 - a partial view of a separable element of the high voltage connector of Figure 7, showing a recommended arrangement of a male electrical contact in one of the separable elements of the connector; and

Figures 12a and 12b - a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a connector according to the invention, comprising a key for the connection of separable elements.

For a better understanding of the invention such than claimed, in FIGS. 1 to 6, and in particular in FIGS. 1 and 2, we have schematically depicted an embodiment of a high set tension as an indication, to help the understanding of the invention. The set includes two elements separable 1a, 1b, each comprising an electrical contact 2a, 2b, fixedly held in a rigid block of insulating material 3a, 3b, and connected, as is well known, to an electrical conductor power supply or different organs to operate under a high voltage. The separable elements of such assemblies include conventionally complementary metallic envelopes provided appropriate cooperative means making it possible to reunite fixedly between them the separable elements of the whole. These metallic envelopes constitute an electrical mass schematically represented by the block 5 in Figures 1 and 2.

As is well known, there is a risk of arcing electric between the joined contacts 2a and 2b and the envelopes of metal constituting electrical mass 5 at the interface between the elements.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the high voltage assembly, further includes a removable seal 6 made of material flexible, elastically deformable insulation, annular in shape, arranged between the end transverse faces of the rigid blocks of material insulating elements of the assembly and surrounding the electrical contacts 2a, 2b.

As shown more particularly in Figure 2, when the separable elements of the high-voltage assembly are brought together so to couple the electrical contacts 2a and 2b of the elements, the joint in flexible insulating material 6 deforms under the effect of pressure that the faces of the rigid insulating blocks of the elements exert, so closely follow the configuration of these transverse faces terminals 4a, 4b, thus achieving continuity of electrical insulation of the assembly when the separable elements are assembled.

As shown more particularly in Figures 3 and 4, in a recommended implementation, a means of evacuation of the air at the interfaces between the terminal transverse faces 4a and 4b of the rigid insulation blocks of separable elements from the high assembly tension and flexible insulating joint.

As shown in Figure 3, this means of air evacuation can be produced by conferring on the transverse end faces 4a and 4b of the blocks a convexity such that an annular space is formed in wedge shape between the terminal transverse faces 4a, 4b of the blocks rigid and the corresponding transverse surfaces of the joint 6. The angle α thus obtained is generally a few degrees. So the convexity of the transverse end faces 4a, 4b of the rigid blocks 3a, 3b must be such that annular spaces are formed in the form of corner but should not be so large that it would no longer be possible to remove these annular spaces by compression of the joint flexible 6 when the separable elements 1a, 1b meet. The value of the angle α will obviously also depend on the hardness of the material insulator of the joint 6. In general, this angle α will be between 1 and 5 °.

When the separable elements are brought together to achieve the electrical connection of these, so an annular space is formed wedge-shaped widening towards the periphery of the rigid blocks 3a and 3b separable elements between the terminal transverse surfaces convex 4a and 4b of these blocks and the transverse surfaces of the joint removable in elastically deformable insulating material annular, this space being reduced to finally entirely disappear under the effect of the compression of the annular removable seal 6 when the separable elements are assembled in their final position. Thus, air is expelled from the interfaces between the terminal faces transverse convex 4a and 4b rigid insulation blocks of the separable elements and the seal 6 and is not trapped between the transverse end faces of the rigid blocks of the elements separable and the transverse faces of the removable seal, for example in cases of existing defects in the terminal transverse faces of rigid blocks insulating separable elements. Therefore, we realize excellent electrical insulation between separable elements.

As shown in Figure 4, one can also perform a air evacuation between separable elements 1a and 1b of the assembly high-voltage, comprising rigid insulating blocks whose faces transverse terminals are flat, by making a removable joint in elastically deformable insulating material, annular, biconvex, that is to say whose transverse faces have a slight convexity of way, as before, to temporarily create spaces in wedge shape similar to those described in connection with Figure 3, when of the assembly of separable elements of the high voltage assembly.

In FIG. 5, a high voltage connection set between a cable high voltage power supply and a socket of a device under high voltage, such as for example a high voltage generator -where the sheath an X-ray tube.

As shown in Figure 5, the high voltage assembly includes two separable connecting elements 10a, 10b. The element separable 10a is fixedly connected to the casing of a device with high voltage, for example a high voltage generator, using a metal shell of generally cylindrical shape, the end of which located outside the high-voltage device has a thread. An electrical contact 12a, for example a male contact, is maintained inside the cylindrical metallic envelope 15a by means of a rigid insulating block 13a. As is well known, the various components of the high-voltage device are electrically isolated by means of an insulating oil filling. The separable connection element 10b of the connection assembly includes a metallic shell generally shaped cylindrical one end of which is provided with a thread intended for cooperate with the thread of the casing 15a of the element fixed to the high voltage device. The other end of envelope 15b of the connecting element 10b is fixed to the end of a cable to high voltage 17. An electrical contact 12b, for example a contact female, is maintained inside the envelope 15b by means of a rigid insulating block 13b. As is well known, this contact 12b is joined to the conductor of the high voltage cable. As is also well known at the meeting of separable elements of the connection assembly, the contacts 12a and 12b couple to achieve electrical continuity between the two elements of the assembly of connection.

As still shown in FIG. 5, an annular seal in flexible, elastically deformable insulating material is disposed between the transverse end faces 14a and 14b of the rigid insulating blocks 13a and 13b. As previously stated, at the meeting of the two separable elements by means of metal envelopes 15a and 15b by screwing, respectively, their tapped and threaded end, the annular seal made of flexible insulating material is compressed between the faces cross sections 14a and 14b of the insulating blocks 13a and 13b until contacts 12a and 12b are combined. The flexible removable seal annular 16 compressed between the transverse faces 14a and 14b of the blocks 13a and 13b, thus ensures excellent insulation continuity between the separable elements 10a, 10b. So it is possible to get electrical insulation between separable elements according to the invention for voltages up to 160 kV and above. On the other hand, as this is well known, in known separable sets it could be difficult, after using these, to separate them again elements. Using a removable seal made of insulating material elastically deformable the separable elements of the high voltage assembly can be easily separated even after use.

Although separable elements have been described comprising each an electrical contact, it is obvious that each of the elements may have two or more contacts held in the rigid insulating blocks. In this case, of course, the removable seal of elastically deformable insulating material will include the number necessary passages to allow the meeting of contacts cooperating with these separable elements.

FIG. 6 schematically represents a modular assembly with high tension.

For example, the modular assembly may include a first module 10, for example the secondary windings of a high voltage generator contained in a material envelope rigid plastic, a second module 20 consisting of a block of rectification and filtering, also contained in an envelope in rigid plastic, a third module 30 constituting a block of output connection, and fittings 40a, 40b of high cable voltage.

As shown in Figure 6, the different modules 10, 20, 30, 40a and 40b, are electrically connectable to each other by contacts complementary. Between each module is provided removable seals made of elastically deformable insulating material 11, 21, 31a and 31b, which, when the modules are joined together, from so as to make the electrical connection between the different modules, are compressed between the adjacent modules, to achieve continuity of electrical insulation between the different modules such as this has been described previously. We thus create a set modular high voltage perfectly insulated, simple, easy to assemble and disassemble, and which does not require the use of oil or grease between the different modules to ensure electrical insulation.

Obviously, we can give the transverse surfaces module envelopes a slight convexity or alternatively use biconvex flexible insulating joints for, as before, perform air evacuation at the interfaces between the modules and the joints.

Figures 7 to 12 show an embodiment a high voltage connector according to the invention.

Referring to Figures 7 to 9, the high voltage connector recommended according to the invention comprises two connection elements separable, a female element 10 and a male element 20.

The female element 10 is intended to be fixed to an appliance operating under high voltage, for example a high generator tension or sheath of an x-ray tube, for feeding under high voltage.

As shown in FIG. 7, this separable female element 10 is essentially composed of a frustoconical, hollow, rigid envelope, electrically insulating material 11, for example a material rigid plastic. This hollow frustoconical envelope includes a bottom wall 12 and a side wall 13, open at its end 15 opposite the bottom wall 12 and defining an interior volume 14. This frustoconical envelope is provided on the periphery of its open end 15 of an annular flange 16 for its connection to a wall 30, grounded electrically, of the metal casing of a high voltage device. This wall 30 of the envelope of the device high voltage is also provided with a means, for example a thread 31 intended to cooperate with a fixing nut 26 of the male connection element 20 of the connector to ensure a secure connection of separable elements of the connector.

Several, for example three, female electrical contacts 17 are . arranged in the bottom wall 12 of the hollow rigid envelope 11 and protrude into the interior volume 14 of the envelope. These contacts 17 are also connected by conductors 18 to appropriate parts of the high-voltage device.

As shown in the diagram in Figure 10, the side wall 13 of the rigid frustoconical casing 11, flares from the bottom wall 12 to its open end 15 at an angle α determined by relative to the longitudinal axis of the envelope.

The male connection element 20 consists of a frustoconical block 21 of electrically insulating, elastically deformable material, encasing conductors 22 connected to a high power cable tension 25 and ending on the front face of the insulation block 21 by male electrical contacts 23 intended to be plugged in with the female electrical contacts 17 of the frustoconical envelope rigid 11. The male element 20 also includes a tightening nut 26 comprising a thread cooperating with the thread 31 of the enclosure of the device to make a fixed and secure connection between the separable elements of the connector. Although we have represented a arrangement with thread and nut secured by screwing, also use any other well-known arrangement for fixing the connector elements, for example a bayonet arrangement. The connection part of the high voltage cable to the insulating block 21 is made of a rigid material, for example metal.

The frusto-conical block 21 may consist entirely of the electrically insulating, elastically deformable material, or can have a core of rigid electrically insulating material surrounded by the electrically insulating, elastically deformable material.

As shown in Figure 10, the outer side wall of the block insulator 21 flares from its front face to an annular flange of support 28 ensuring the connection between the insulating block 21 and the cable to high voltage 25, at an angle β relative to the longitudinal axis of the male separable element 20.

As clearly shown in Figures 8 and 10, this angle β is smaller by a few degrees, for example 1 to 5 °, than the angle α of the hollow casing 11 of the female separable element 10, so that - that when the male separable element 20 is simply enclosed in the female separable element 10 with the male 23 and female 17 contacts connected, the external surface of the side wall of the insulating block 21 of the male element 20 defines with the internal surface of the side wall 13 of the hollow, rigid casing 11 of the female element 10, a space angular or wedge-shaped annular 40 which flares towards the open end 15 of the hollow rigid envelope 11.

In other words, the angle at the top of the side wall 13 of the hollow rigid envelope 11 is greater than the angle at the top of the side wall of the frustoconical insulation block 21.

According to one aspect of the invention, an annular seal 41 is provided. made of flexible insulating material, for example silicone elastomer between the annular flange 28 for fixing the male element 20 and the flange annular 16 of the hollow, rigid casing 11 of the female element 10.

As also shown in Figure 5, in the position previous, i.e. before fully tightening the fixing nut 26 of the male element 20 on the thread 31 of the casing of the device, the insulating block 21 projects externally from the rigid hollow casing 11 of a small height Δℓ, for example a few millimeters, of preferably 1 to 5 mm. In other words, the height of the insulating block 21 is greater by a value Δℓ than the depth of the interior volume 14 rigid hollow casing 11.

As shown in Figure 9, when the fixing nut 26 is screwed in fully, it exerts a determined compressive force on the annular flange 28 and compresses the insulating block 21. Like the block insulator 21 is made of an elastically insulating material deformable, during compression, it deforms when the nut 28 is fully screwed in, completely filling the volume inside 14 of the rigid hollow envelope 11. Because of the space angular annular 40 initially existing between the insulating block 21 and the internal surface of the side wall 13 of the rigid hollow casing 11, the air is gradually expelled to the outside as the insulating block is deformed to occupy the entire volume interior 14 of the rigid hollow envelope 11. Thus, when the separable elements male 20 and female 10 of the connector are - assembled in their final position, the insulating block 21 provides continuity of electrical insulation and avoids any risk of inclusion air, without the need for oil or grease insulating.

Obviously, the value of Δℓ will depend on the interior volume 14 of the rigid hollow casing 11 and elastic properties of the material used to form the insulating block 21.

The insulating block 21 can be simply produced by molding a elastically deformable and electrically synthetic material insulator, for example a silicone elastomer, on the conductors and around the electrical contacts.

As seen in Figures 7 and 11, the electrical contacts males 23 are housed in recesses 24 formed in the end front of the insulating block 21. The recesses 24 are shaped and dimensioned so as to entirely contain the male contacts 23 and to receive the female contacts 17 of the separable element female 10. Thus, the electrical contacts of the male separable element 20 which is generally connected to the high voltage cable, are protected from any risk of deterioration when the separable element male 20 is not connected to the female separable element 10 or during various manipulations. Obviously, the electrical contacts could be reversed, the male separable element comprising female contacts and the female separable element comprising male contacts.

As shown, a separate recess 24 can be provided for each of the male contacts 23, but one could just as easily provide a single recess in which all the contacts would be housed.

FIG. 11 shows a recommended type of male contact 23. The recommended male contacts 23 ensure an interlocking spring in female contacts 17 by means of conductive blades forming a spring 23 arranged, as is well known, on the surface side of the contact.

Finally, as shown in Figure 12a, and as is well known in the art, one can provide at the open end of the rigid hollow casing 11 of the female separable element 10 a flat part 19a and a corresponding flat part 27a on the part back of the male separable element 20, so that the element separable male 20 cannot be inserted in the separable element female 10 only in one position, thus ensuring a connection without risk of damage to the electrical contacts.

Figure 12b shows another embodiment of a polarizer which is consists of an axial slot 19b formed at the open end of the female separable element 10 and a complementary projection 27b on the rear part of the male separable element 20. Obviously, we could use a reverse layout.

According to the invention, a high voltage connector is thus produced. ensuring excellent electrical insulation continuity and avoiding all risk of air inclusion which could affect the continuity of insulation without the need to use oil or grease insulation.

Claims (7)

1. High voltage connector, comprising:

   a first separable element (10) consisting of a hollow tapered casing (11) made from an electrically insulating and rigid material having a bottom wall (12) and a tapered side wall (13) defining an interior volume (14), and at least one first electrical contact (17) carried by the bottom wall (12) and projecting inside the casing;

   a second separable element (20) intended to engage in the first separable element (10) comprising a tapered insulation block (21) made of an electrically insulating and elastically deformable material having a front face intended to come into abutment on the bottom wall (12) of the first separable element (10) and in which is disposed at least one second electrical contact (23) complementary to the first and a side wall; and

   a means (26, 31) for fixing the first separable element (10) to the second separable element (20); the height of the tapered insulation block (21) of the second separable element being greater than the depth of the hollow rigid casing (11) of the first separable element (10), so that, when the tapered insulation block (21) is compressed by the fixing means (26, 31), it deforms and completely fills the interior volume (14) of the hollow rigid casing (11) of the first separable element (10), thereby ensuring the continuity of electrical insulation of the connector, characterized in that it comprises an annular seal (41) between an annular flange (28) of the first separable element (10) and an annular flange (16) of the second separable element (20).
2. High voltage connector according to Claim 1, characterized in that the angle at the top of the side wall (13) of the hollow rigid tapered casing (11) is greater than the angle at the top of the side wall of the tapered insulation block (21) defining therebetween, before compression of the tapered insulation block (21), an angular annular space (40), allowing the evacuation of air during compression of the tapered insulation block (21).
3. Connector according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second electrical contact(s) (23) is (are) disposed in a (several) recess(es) (24) made in the front face of the tapered insulation block (21).
4. Connector according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first electrical contact(s) is (are) a (several) female contact(s) and the second electrical contact(s) is (are) a (several) sprung male contact(s).
5. Connector according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the tapered insulation block (21) consists of a silicone elastomer.
6. Connector according to Claim 5, characterized in that the tapered insulation block (21) has a Shore A hardness of between 10 and 50, preferably between 10 and 30.
7. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the annular seal (41) consists of a silicone elastomer.

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