JPH0145718B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the connection and disconnection of practical high voltage electrical connector elements, and more particularly to the mounting and disconnection of bushing assemblies into electrical connectors, preferably from remote locations.
The present invention relates to an assembly tool for facilitating the proper seating of electrical connectors on the terminals of electrical devices by using insulating devices such as sticks.

Applicant's U.S. Pat. A voltage electrical connector is disclosed that includes a bushing assembly that allows a ground connection to be made to ground the terminals without separating the electrical connector. The patent further discloses a tool for grounding the electrical connector and separating the electrical connector from the terminals. Additionally, the patent application ``Attachment Apparatus for High Voltage Electrical Connectors,'' filed on the same day as this application, describes an attachment apparatus that facilitates attaching and securing a bushing assembly to an electrical connector and then to a terminal of an electrical device. Disclosed. This mounting device is
The system includes sequentially operated threaded elements and a minimum torque responsive device such that the threaded element operation sequence properly secures the bushing assembly to the electrical connector and secures the electrical connector to the terminal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a tool that facilitates the installation of a bushing assembly into an electrical connector and the connection of the electrical connector to the terminals of a high voltage electrical device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tool of the type described above which can be used in conjunction with an insulating device, such as a hotstay, which can be operated from a remote location, for connecting or disconnecting electrical connectors and terminals. There is a particular thing.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tool of the type described which is capable of indicating to the operator when the electrical connector is properly seated on the terminal and the connection is correctly completed.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tool of the type described above which is capable of applying sufficient removal torque to separate the electrical connector from the terminal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tool of the above type which is relatively simple in construction and easy to put into practical use.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tool of the type described which is robust and durable so as to be able to be used satisfactorily under the conditions encountered in its operation over a relatively long period of use.

The foregoing objects, as well as other objects and advantages, can be achieved by the present invention as briefly described below. That is, the present invention installs and fixes a bushing assembly within an electrical connector, and then connects and disconnects the electrical connector and the terminals of an electrical device at a distance using an insulating device such as a hot stay. a tool for making the connection and disconnection from a position by rotating a threaded fixture having the shape of a wrench to make the desired electrical connection between the electrical connector and the terminal; An assembly tool for an electrical connector for ensuring that the connection is completed to achieve an interference fit, comprising: an elongated actuation member having opposite ends; a wrench shape complementary to the wrench shape of the threaded fixture so as to engage and rotate the threaded fixture; and a wrench shape that is complementary to the wrench shape of the threaded fixture; wrench means formed proximate the other end of the actuating member for rotationally mounting and securing the bushing assembly within the electrical connector; an attachment means for selectively attaching, upon application of a torque greater than a predetermined torque meaning that said electrical connector is properly seated in said terminal with a desired electrical connection and an interference fit; the attachment means, such that the attachment means is rotated relative to the actuating member, and such that this relative rotation serves to indicate to the operator that the connection is complete; torque responsive means coupled to the other end of the actuating member, the attachment means being coupled to the other end of the actuating member only when the electrical connector assembly tool is rotated in a direction to separate the electrical connector from the terminal. directly coupled to, thereby enabling the insulating device engaged with the attachment means to apply a torque greater than or equal to the predetermined torque to the actuating member in the direction of separation; An assembly tool for an electrical connector, comprising: direct connection means;

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be better understood, and other objects and advantages thereof will become apparent, from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Next, referring to the drawings, particularly FIGS. 1 and 2,
A tool constructed in accordance with the invention is shown generally at 10 and includes an actuating member in the form of an elongated rod 12. The rod has a wrench shape in the form of a hexagonal key 14 at its lowermost end 16 and wrench means in the form of a hexagonal drive head 18 adjacent the uppermost end 20 of the rod. The projection at the uppermost end 20 of the rod 12 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape and is inserted into a complementary rectangular hole 24 in the first cylindrical body member 26 of the tool 10. and pin 2
8 secures the rod 12 to the first body member 26.

Attachment means in the form of a padded eye 30 consisting of a ring 32 and a plate 34 are secured to a second cylindrical body member 36, which in turn is attached to the first body member 26 by means detailed below. Concatenated. Patsudeye 30 is based on the above-mentioned U.S. Patent No.
As disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,202,591, it is possible to attach the tool 10 to an insulating device, such as a hotstay, and the tool 10 can be operated remotely by an operator.

Operation of tool 10 may be understood by reference to the functions performed by the tool. 3-7, bushing assembly 40 is installed and secured within an electrical connector in the form of a T-shaped receptacle 42, and receptacle 42 is connected to a high voltage device (not shown) such as a transformer. terminal 4
4 (FIGS. 6 and 7). Although this installation procedure is disclosed in detail in the aforementioned patent application filed on the same date as the present application, a portion of the installation procedure will be described here to illustrate the use of tool 10 in this installation means.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a receptacle 42 is attached to the end of a high voltage device and an electrical terminal contact 50 having an integral lug 52 is attached to the conductor of the cable. Lugs 52 are connected to terminals 44 to complete the power transmission and distribution circuit.

Composite body 54 surrounding contact 50 has an axially extending receptacle pull recess 56 within which terminal 44 is received. A second axially extending recess 58 opposite the recess 56 receives a bushing assembly 40. The bushing assembly 40 is configured to allow direct connection of the terminals 44 to a conventional electrical connector, such as an elbow receptacle (not shown).

Bushing assembly 40 includes a generally tubular housing 60 having a body member 62 of insulating material, such as an insulating elastomer, and a central tubular member 64 of electrically conductive material, such as copper or aluminum. The upper end 66 of bushing assembly 40 is substantially identical to that disclosed in the aforementioned patent. Female contact assembly 68 is positioned within tubular member 64 and includes female contact element 72 . The female contact element 72 can receive a male contact element (not shown) to complete the electrical circuit with the tubular member 64. Tubular member 64 includes an axially extending tubular extension member 80 .
has a threaded connection 82 at its upper end 84;
The lower end 86 has a land 88 for purposes described in more detail below.

Coupling member 90 is received within extension member 80 and coupled near lower end 86 of extension member 80 . The coupling member 90 is connected to the extension member 8 by engagement of external threads 92 extending axially to an upper end 94 thereof with internal threads 96 of the tubular extension member 80.
Combined with 0. A male thread 98 is further provided near the lower end 100 of the coupling member 90,
A collar 102 is positioned between both male screws 92 and 98.

Before installing the bushing assembly 40 into the recess 58 of the receptacle 42, the coupling member 90
extends beyond the lower end 86 of the extension member 80 and the lower end 104 of the body member 62 of the bushing assembly 40, and the collar 102 is laterally spaced from the lower ends 86 and 104, as shown in FIG. ing. The external threads 98 thus allow the tapered portion 1 of the body member 62 of the bushing assembly 40 to engage the threaded holes 108 in the lugs 52 of the contacts 50.
06, in which case the resistance that would occur if the tapered portion 106 of the body member 62 were in contact with the corresponding tapered portion 110 of the recess 58 is not occurring. Therefore, the external thread 98 of the coupling member 90 is inserted into the threaded hole 108.
The external thread 98 can be threaded into the threaded hole 108 simply by manually rotating the bushing assembly 40 to advance it. This forward threading is configured with external threads 98 to provide the necessary retention strength to complete installation of the bushing assembly 40 as described below.
continues until a sufficient axial length of the collar 102 is engaged with the threaded hole 108 and preferably until the stop shoulder 112 of the collar 102 seats against the lug 52 as shown in FIG.

Manual rotation of the bushing assembly 40 preferably rotates the coupling member 90 into the threaded hole 10 until the stop shoulder 112 is properly seated in the lug 52.
Advance to 8. A locking means is provided between the male thread 92 and the female thread 96, the locking means being such that during threading of the coupling member 90 into the lug 52, a sufficient axial length of the male thread 98 is inserted into the threaded hole. 108 to lock the coupling member 90 against the tubular extension member 80 against relative movement thereof. This locking means is preferably in the form of a pellet 114 of a synthetic resin material, such as nylon, positioned within a recess 116 in the wall 118 of the coupling member 90 and compressed against the internal threads 96 of the tubular extension member 80. It produces a torque of sufficient magnitude to prevent any relative movement. To further rotate the bushing assembly 40 and preferably the stop shoulder 11
The torque provided by the pellet 114 is such that the tapered body portion 106 can continue to move downwardly toward the tapered portion 110 of the recess 58 in order to further rotate the bushing assembly after the bushing 2 has seated on the lug. be defeated. Pellet 114 thus forms a locking means that is responsive to a minimum torque that causes coupling member 90 to engage lug 52 before tubular extension member 80 moves relative to coupling member 90. It is a predetermined predetermined value that will ensure sufficient engagement, and preferably to a position where the stop shoulder 112 is seated on the lug 52. This pellet 114 thus provides the necessary and preferably desired coupling member 90 for properly engaging the coupling member 90 with the lug 52.
The minimum torque required to seat the lugs 52 on the lugs 52 is ensured before the extension member 80 is moved relative to the coupling member 90.

When coupling member 90 is properly seated on lug 52 as shown in FIG.
Further rotation of the bushing assembly 40 overcomes the locking force created by the pellet 114 and the tapered portion 106 of the bushing assembly 40 engages the corresponding tapered portion 11 of the recess 58.
0 starts to engage. Continued downward movement of bushing assembly 40 seats bushing assembly 40 in receptacle 42. However, this downward movement is caused by the engagement of both tapered portions 106 and 11
Significant resistance is encountered as a result of the interference fit formed between both tapers to obtain the desired watertight seal and insulation properties along the interlayer between 0 and 0.
Because the body member 62 of the bushing assembly 40 is formed of an elastomeric material, the resistance to rotation increases with downward movement, so that the body member 62 of the bushing assembly 40 is designed to exert the force necessary to continue rotation of the bushing assembly. Grasping a solid object from the outside is meaningless. Thus, internal wrench rotation means, as described below, are provided to facilitate further rotation of the bushing assembly 40.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, coupling member 90 has a central hole 120 extending therethrough from end 94 to end 100 thereof. A threaded fastener in the form of a bolt 122 extends axially through the bore 120 and has a head 124 and a thread 126. pin 1
An anchoring means in the form of 30 extends radially through an aperture 132 in the wall of the tubular member 64 and into a corresponding aperture 134 formed in the head 124 of the bolt 122. Pin 130 has a flange portion 136 that serves to position pin 130 radially within bore 132. Tubular extension member 80 overlaps bore 132 and captures flange portion 136 of pin 130 within bore 132. The bolt 122 is thus fixed in the retracted position as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The socket 138 of the head 124 of the bolt 122 has a hexagonal wrench shape disposed along the central axis A of the bushing assembly 40. The tool 10 has a long rod 12 with a hexagonal key 14.
As shown in FIG. 5, the key 14 is lowered along axis A through the female contact assembly 68 and the tubular member 64 and inserted into the socket 138. Tool 10
The rod 12 is a bolt 122 as shown in FIG.
Once connected to head 124 of rod 12, wrench 150 is engaged with drive head 18 to move rod 12.
Rotate around axis A.

This rotation causes the bolt head 124 to move toward the pin 130.
The bushing assembly 40 is affixed to the tubular member 64 by the bushing assembly 40. This rotational force is applied to the land portion 8 of the lower end portion 86 of the tubular extension member 80.
8 is seated on the lug 52 and is applied and conveyed to move the bushing assembly 40 downwardly until the collar 102 joins within a corresponding recess 154 in the lower end 86 of the extension member 80. Color 102
If the stop shoulder 112 of is not already properly seated in the lug 52, downward movement of the extension member 86 moves the coupling member 90 further downward to ensure that the coupling member 90 is seated within the lug 52. will let you. Once land 88 is properly seated, bushing assembly 40 will be seated within receptacle 42 with a proper interference fit.

It is important here not to overtighten the bushing assembly 40. That is, the lands 88 should not damage the lugs 52 and should not develop excessive forces along the intermediate layer between the corresponding tapered portions 106 and 110. At the same time, it is important to apply at least the minimum torque necessary to properly seat the bushing assembly 40 within the receptacle 42. In order to ensure that the minimum required rotational force is applied to the bushing assembly 40 while preventing the application of excessive rotational force, the pin 1
The shear strength of pin 130 is selected so that pin 30 is sheared as follows. i.e. pin 130
is applied by tool 10 greater than a predetermined value determined by the minimum torque required for proper seating of bushing assembly 40 within receptacle 42 and the maximum torque that can be withstood. It is sheared in response to this. The pin 130 thus attaches the head 124 of the bolt 122 to the tubular member 6 to apply rotational force.
4, the securing means reliably prevents excessive torque from being applied to the connection between the bushing assembly 40 and the lug 52, while ensuring that the minimum torque required is applied. release in response to exceeding a predetermined torque.

Once pin 130 is sheared, bolt 122 is free and moves axially downward within tubular extension member 80 and coupling member 90 as shown in FIG. It will be noted that upward axial movement of bolt 122 is restrained by lip 156. The lip 156 projects radially inwardly to prevent bolt 122 from moving upwardly past the lip 156 and into the tubular member 64. A receptacle 42 with a bushing assembly 40 in place is typically positioned over the terminal 44 and the bolt 122 is axially aligned with a threaded hole 158 in the terminal 44. When bolt 122 is freed by shearing pin 130, bolt 122 lowers to the position shown in FIG. 6 to connect receptacle 42 to terminal 44. The pin 130 is connected to the drive head 1 by a wrench 150.
8 directly to the rod 12 and via the bolt head 124 to the pin 130. To complete the connection of receptacle 42 to terminal 44, bolt 122 is inserted into terminal 4 as shown in FIG.
4 into the hole 158. In the connection thus completed, the head 124 of the bolt 122 rests on the washer 159 resting on the upper end 94 of the coupling member 90. Thus bolt 12
2 tightens the lug 52 in place on the terminal 44 to form a suitable interference fit between the recess 56 of the receptacle 42 and the corresponding outer surface 160 of the terminal 44. The tool 10 has a receptacle 42
and the outer surface 160 of terminal 44 and is manipulated by the operator to ensure a proper interference fit is formed.

To complete the connection between receptacle 42 and terminal 44, the operator removes wrench 150 from drive head 18 and attaches an insulating device, such as a hot stake (not shown) to pad eye 3.
0 and rotate the tool 10 around the axis A by operating the insulating device. Pad eye 30 is attached to a second body member 36 of tool 10, and second body member 36 is coupled to first body member 26. Thus, normally rotation of pad eye 30 causes further rotation of rod 12 and hex key 14, moving receptacle 42 downwardly into engagement with terminal 44. When the outer surface 160 of the terminal 44 engages in a tight fit with the recess 56 of the receptacle 42, the torque required to continue rotation and downward translation increases, causing the lug 52 to engage the conductor 162 of the terminal 44. in electrical contact with the receptacle 4 and with a suitable interference fit.
2 and terminal 44, a certain predetermined torque must be achieved. To that end, tool 10 includes a torque responsive coupling device between pad eye 30 and rod 12 to indicate to the operator when a predetermined torque has been achieved.

In this way, the first body member 26 has a torque limiting mechanism that rotates the second body member 36 relative to the first body member 26 when the torque applied to the padded eye 30 becomes larger than the predetermined torque. 170. The operator can confirm that additional torque must be applied to pad eye 30 as long as first and second body members 26 and 36 continue to rotate together. Then, as soon as the operator senses that the second body member 36 is rotating relative to the first body member 26, the operator moves the receptacle 42 and the terminal 4
4, the rotation can be stopped, knowing that the connection is complete. The torque limiting mechanism 170 further acts to prevent over-tightening of the connection.

Torque limiting mechanism 170 is clearly illustrated in FIG. First body member 26 includes a cylindrical bore 172 having a bottom 174 . A plurality of load bearing elements, illustrated in the form of balls 176, are located at the bottom 17.
4, each ball being seated in a recess 178 in the bottom 174 of the hole 17. The driving disk 180 is placed on the balls 176 and has a plurality of recesses 18 corresponding to the number of balls 176.
It has 2. Each ball 176 is typically recessed 17
8 and is seated within recess 182. The resilient biasing means in the form of a spring washer 184 is
Biased against drive disc 180 by retainer 186, retainer 186
0 to the ball 176.
72 against spring washer 184. The drive shaft 190 is integral with the drive disk 180 at its lower end 192 and extends upwardly to an upper end 194 . The drive shaft 190 has an upper end 194
and a complementary shaped socket 196 of the second body member 36.
and the second
It is fixed to the main body member 36.

The rotation of the pad eye 30 and the second body member 36 causes the drive shaft 190 to rotate, which in turn causes the drive disk 180 to rotate. Drive disk 180 is connected to first body member 26 by balls 176 in recesses 178 and 182 so long as the torque required to rotate rod 12 is less than or equal to a predetermined torque. However, when the torque required to rotate the rod 12 becomes greater than the predetermined torque, further rotation of the drive disc 180 is prevented by the ball 176 and the drive disc 180
The drive disk 180 is urged axially upwardly against the biasing force of the spring washer 184 so as to ride on the ball 176 . Thus the drive disc 18
0 continues to rotate in response to the rotation of second body member 36 and drive shaft 190, and first body member 26 and rod 12 remain stationary. The value of the torque that causes relative rotation between the first and second body members 26, 36 is determined by the axial biasing force of the spring washer 184, and adjusts the axial position of the retainer 186 accordingly. It can be set by Once this axial position is determined, retainer 186 is locked in place by threaded locking member 188. This locking member 188
is screwed into hole 172 and joins retainer 186 to lock retainer 186. Locking member 1
A set screw 199 is used to secure 88 in place relative to first body member 26.

When it is desired to use tool 10 to remove bolt 122 from threaded hole 158 of terminal 44, it is necessary to apply a greater torque to bolt 122 than the predetermined torque with which bolt 122 was tightened. Since such installations must be made from a remote location by manipulating tool 10 with an insulating device such as a hot stake, tool 10 is further protected against rotation of pad eye 30 during said installation procedure. Means is provided for directly connecting the first body member 26 to the second body member 36 when rotated in the opposite direction.

As clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the direct coupling means is disposed within the bore 202 of the second body member 36 and is connected by a helical spring 204 to the first and second body members 26, 36. It includes a drive tooth 200 that is elastically biased downwardly toward a groove 206 provided in an intervening plate 208 . plate 208
is a post 210 that projects upwardly from the locking member 188 and engages with the drive hole 212 of the plate 208;
The first body member is secured to rotate with the first body member by the first body member. The post 210 is integral with the locking member 188 and has a complementary rectangular cross-sectional shape that engages with the planar rectangular shape of the drive hole 212, so that the plate 208 and the first body member 26 rotate as one unit. do. As shown in FIG. 2, the groove 206 has an inclined surface 214 at one circumferential end and an axial shoulder 216 at the other end.

When connecting the receptacle 42 to the terminal 44,
The bolt 122 is connected to the arrow 22 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
It is rotated by rotation of the tool 10 in the zero direction. As long as the torque limiter 170 does not exceed the predetermined torque set,
The main body members 26, 36 rotate together.
When the connection is completed, the torque becomes greater than the predetermined torque, and the second body member 36 begins to rotate relative to the first body member 26. At that time, drive tooth 2
00 moves toward the inclined surface 214 with the second body member 36 . The inclined surface 214 is inclined in the direction of rotation, so that the driving tooth 200 is drawn into the hole 202 against the biasing force of the spring 204.
14 and plate 2 as shown in Figure 7.
08 and therefore the second body member 36
is rotated relative to the first body member 26.

When separating the receptacle 42 from the terminal 44, the bolt 122 is inserted at the arrow 22 shown in FIGS.
Rotation is caused by rotation of the tool 10 in two directions. It requires a torque larger than the predetermined torque, and the second body member 26
moves drive tooth 200 toward axial shoulder 216 . Once drive tooth 200 joins shoulder 216 , second body member 36 is rotationally engaged with plate 208 , and plate 208 is rotationally engaged with first body member 26 . In this way, sufficient torque is transmitted from the pad eye 30 to the rod 12,
Bolt 122 is unthreaded to remove and separate receptacle 42 from terminal 44.

Tool 10 is used to attach and secure bushing assembly 40 to receptacle 42 and to connect receptacle 42 to terminal 44 from a remote location in a desired interference fit using an insulating device such as a hotstay. Furthermore, a relatively simple and sturdy device used by the operator in the field to connect the receptacle 42 to the terminal 44 with the desired interference fit from a remote location and to separate the receptacle from the terminal from a remote location. It will be understood that it is a device.

The foregoing detailed description of embodiments of the invention is provided by way of example only, and various configurations and constructions may be made without departing from the scope and true spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims. It will be understood that modifications may be made.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially sectional side view of a tool constructed based on the present invention, and FIG.
3 is a side view of a portion of the tool shown in the direction of the arrows 2; FIG. 3 is a slightly reduced side sectional view of a portion of a bushing assembly installed in an electrical connector; and FIG. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view similar to FIG. 3 of the bushing assembly fully installed in the electrical connector; FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the bushing assembly fully installed in the electrical connector; 5 is a side cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 of the electrical connector partially attached to the terminals of the device, and FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6 of the electrical connector fully connected to the terminals. (Explanation of symbols), 10... Assembly tool, 12...
... Rod (operating member), 14 ... Hexagonal key (wrench shape), 18 ... Hexagonal drive head (wrench means), 26 ... First cylindrical body member, 30 ... Pad eye (attachment means), 36 ... No. 2 cylindrical body member, 40... bushing assembly, 42... receptacle (electrical connector), 44... terminal, 90...
...Coupling member, 114...Pelate, 12
2... Bolt (threaded fastener), 130... Shear pin, 138... Hexagonal socket (wrench shape), 170... Tort limiting mechanism, 176... Ball, 178, 182... Recess, 180... Drive disk, 184... Spring washer, 186... Retainer, 200... Drive tooth, 206... Groove.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. The bushing assembly is installed and fixed in the electrical connector, and then the electrical connector and the terminals of the electrical equipment are connected and separated by an operator using an insulating device such as a hot stay at a distance. a tool for making a desired electrical connection between the electrical connector and the terminal; an electrical connector assembly tool for ensuring that the connection is completed to achieve an interference fit, comprising: an elongate actuation member having opposite ends; formed at one end of the actuation member; and a wrench shape complementary to the wrench shape of the threaded fixture so as to engage and rotate the threaded fixture; and a wrench shape that directly engages the actuating member. wrench means formed proximate the other end of the actuating member for mounting and securing the bushing assembly within the electrical connector by pivoting the bushing assembly into the electrical connector; an attachment means for selectively attaching the connector to the terminal when a torque greater than a predetermined torque is applied which means that the electrical connector is properly seated in the terminal with a desired electrical connection and an interference fit; said mounting means to rotate said mounting means relative to said actuating member, and such that this relative rotation serves to indicate to said operator that said connection is complete; torque responsive means for coupling means to the other end of the actuating member; The insulating device, which is directly connected to the member and thereby engages the attachment means, enables the actuating member to be subjected to a torque greater than the predetermined torque in the direction of separation. , direct connection means, and an assembly tool for an electrical connector.