Exothermic and mechanical electrical connector

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10141659-B2
Application number	US-201715404817-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 12, 2017
Priority date	Jan 12, 2016
Publication date	Nov 27, 2018
Grant date	Nov 27, 2018

Abstract

An electrical connector includes an electrically conductive connector having a mechanical connector for removably receiving a conductor. The mechanical connector includes a translatable clamping member and a threaded portion. An arm extends from the electrically conductive connector. A component is connected to the arm at an interface. The interface includes an exothermic weld.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. An electrical connector comprising:
an electrically conductive connector having a mechanical connector for removably receiving a conductor, the mechanical connector including a threaded portion, and a parallel groove clamp comprising a head, a moveable jaw acting as a translatable clamping member, a fastener having the threaded portion, and a nut connected to the fastener;
an arm extending from the electrically conductive connector;
a component connected to the arm at an interface, wherein the interface comprises an exothermic weld, and wherein the arm is integrally formed with the head and includes a bottom portion connected to the component.

2. The electrical connector claim 1 , wherein rotation of the nut causes translation of the moveable jaw.

3. The electrical connector of claim 1 , wherein the interface is continuous.

4. The electrical connector of claim 1 , wherein the interface includes a first exothermic weld and a second exothermic weld spaced from the first exothermic weld.

5. An electrical connector comprising:
an electrically conductive connector having a mechanical connector for removably receiving a conductor, the mechanical connector including a threaded portion, a set screw terminal comprising a base having a first opening configured to receive a conductor and a second opening receiving a set screw, the set screw having base acting as a translatable clamping member and a shank having the threaded portion;
an arm extending from the electrically conductive connector;
a component connected to the arm at an interface, wherein the interface comprises an exothermic weld, wherein the arm is integrally formed with the base and includes a side portion connected to the component.

6. The electrical connector of claim 5 , wherein the interface is continuous.

7. The electrical connector of claim 5 , wherein the interface includes a first exothermic weld and a second exothermic weld spaced from the first exothermic weld.

8. A method of establishing an electrical connection between a conductor and a substrate comprising:
placing an electrically conductive connector having a mechanical connector for removably receiving a conductor including a parallel groove clamp comprising a head, a moveable jaw acting as a clamping member, a fastener having the threaded portion, and a nut connected to the fastener, and an arm extending from the mechanical connector proximate a support, wherein the arm is integrally formed with the head;
initiating an exothermic reaction that produces a molten metal mass to secure the connector to the support; and
translating the clamping member to connect a conductor to the mechanical connector.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein initiating the exothermic reaction comprising igniting thermite powder.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein translating the clamping member includes rotating the fastener.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the molten metal mass includes copper oxide.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the molten mass forms an exothermic weld at a first position of the interface.

13. A method of establishing an electrical connection between a conductor and a substrate comprising:
placing an electrically conductive connector having a mechanical connector for removably receiving a conductor including a set screw terminal comprising a base having a first opening configured to receive a conductor and a second opening receiving a set screw, the set screw having base acting as a clamping member and a shank having the threaded portion, and an arm extending from the mechanical connector proximate a support, wherein the arm is integrally formed with the base;
initiating an exothermic reaction that produces a molten metal mass to secure the connector to the support; and
translating the clamping member to connect a conductor to the mechanical connector.

Assignees

• Hubbell Inc

Inventors

• Trombley Logan

Classifications

• H01R4/025 Primary

  with built-in heat generating elements · CPC title

• H01R13/6215

  using one or more bolts · CPC title

• H01R4/42

  Clamping area to one side of screw only · CPC title

• H01R4/366

  intermediate part attached to the tip of the screw · CPC title