초록 ▼

Loadbreak connectors which are modified to reduce the probability of flashover upon disassembly operation of a loadbreak bushing insert from a power cable elbow connector. The bushing insert is provided with vents to vent a cavity formed between the elbow cuff and the transition shoulder portion of

Loadbreak connectors which are modified to reduce the probability of flashover upon disassembly operation of a loadbreak bushing insert from a power cable elbow connector. The bushing insert is provided with vents to vent a cavity formed between the elbow cuff and the transition shoulder portion of the bushing insert with ambient air to avoid a decrease in pressure within the connection region and avoid a decrease in the dielectric strength of the air therein thus preventing flashover. The vents can be provided directly on the transition shoulder portion of the insert, an elbow seating indicator band or on a bushing insert interface shell. Additionally, the band and the shell may be formed of a bright contrasting color which serves to indicate whether the loadbreak connector is improperly assembled. The shell further reduces friction upon assembly of the connector.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A loadbreak bushing insert comprising:an insulative housing having an axial bore therethrough, the housing including a first end section being dimensioned to be sealed in a bushing well, a second end section being dimensioned for insertion into a power cable elbow connector and a mid-section bein

1. A loadbreak bushing insert comprising:an insulative housing having an axial bore therethrough, the housing including a first end section being dimensioned to be sealed in a bushing well, a second end section being dimensioned for insertion into a power cable elbow connector and a mid-section being radially larger than the first and second end sections; a conductive member positioned within the axial bore of the housing; and an interface shell molded from a low coefficient of friction plastic and having a sleeve portion provided on at least a substantial portion of the second end section of the housing for reducing frictional forces between the loadbreak bushing insert and a power cable elbow connector upon connection and disconnection therebetween. 2. A loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 1, wherein the interface shell is molded from a different colored material than that of the housing.3. A loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 2, wherein the color of the interface shell is representative of an operating voltage of the loadbreak bushing insert.4. A loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 1, wherein the interface shell further includes a band portion being provided on the mid-section, adjacent the second end section of the housing.5. A loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 4, wherein the band portion of the shell has a first color different than that of the housing for providing visual indication of proper assembly of the loadbreak bushing insert and the sleeve portion of the shell has a second color different than that of the housing and the band portion for representing operating voltage of the loadbreak bushing insert.6. A loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 4, wherein the band portion of the interface shell is integral with the sleeve portion.7. A loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 4, wherein the band portion includes at least one vent for venting a cavity formed between the bushing insert and a power cable elbow connector upon disconnection therebetween.8. A loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 7, wherein the at least one vent comprises at least one vent groove formed in the band portion of the interface shell.9. A loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 7, wherein the at least one vent comprises at least one through hole extending from an annular top surface of the band portion to a longitudinal side surface of the band portion.10. A loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 7, wherein the at least one vent comprises a circumferential groove formed in the band portion of the interface shell.11. A loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 7, wherein the at least one vent comprises a plurality of ribs circumferentially spaced along an outer surface of the band portion of the interface shell.12. A method for forming a loadbreak bushing insert comprising the steps of:forming an insulative housing having an axial bore therethrough, the housing including a first end section being dimensioned to be sealed in a bushing well, a second end section being dimensioned for insertion into a power cable elbow connector and a mid-section being radially larger than the first and second end sections; molding an interface shell from a low coefficient of friction plastic, the shell having a sleeve portion being dimensioned to be fitted over at least a substantial portion of the second end section of the housing; and bonding the interface shell over at least a substantial portion of the second end section of the housing. 13. A method for forming a loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 12, wherein the interface shell is molded from a different colored material than that of the housing.14. A method for forming a loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 13, wherein the color of the interface shell is representative of an operating voltage of the loadbreak bushing insert.15. A method for forming a loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 12, wherein the interface shell further includes a band portion being dimensioned to be fitted on the mid-section, adjacent the second end section of the housing.16. A method for forming a loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 15, wherein the band portion of the interface shell is integrally molded with the sleeve portion.17. A method for forming a loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 15, wherein the band portion includes at least one vent for venting a cavity formed between the bushing insert and a power cable elbow connector upon disconnection therebetween.18. A method for forming a loadbreak bushing insert comprising the steps of:molding an interface shell from a low coefficient of friction plastic, the shell having an inner surface and a sleeve portion being dimensioned for insertion into a power cable elbow connector; and molding an insulative housing within the interface shell whereby the housing is bonded to the inner surface of the shell, the insulative housing having a first end section extending outside of the shell and being dimensioned to be sealed in a bushing well, a second end section being molded within the sleeve portion of the shell and a mid-section being radially larger than the first and second end sections. 19. A method for forming a loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 18, wherein the interface shell is molded from a different colored material than that of the housing.20. A method for forming a loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 19, wherein the color of the interface shell is representative of an operating voltage of the loadbreak bushing insert.21. A method for forming a loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 18, wherein the interface shell further includes a band portion, and wherein at least a portion of the mid-section, adjacent the second end section of the housing, is molded to the band portion.22. A method for forming a loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 21, wherein the band portion of the interface shell is integrally molded with the sleeve portion.23. A method for forming a loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 21, wherein the band portion includes at least one vent for venting a cavity formed between the bushing insert and a power cable elbow connector upon disconnection therebetween.24. A loadbreak bushing insert comprising:an insulative housing having an axial bore therethrough, the housing including a first end section being dimensioned to be sealed in a bushing well, a second end section being dimensioned for insertion into a power cable elbow connector and a mid-section being radially larger than the first and second end sections; a conductive member positioned within the axial bore of the housing; and an interface shell molded from a low coefficient of friction plastic and having a band portion provided on the mid-section, adjacent the second end section, of the housing and a sleeve portion provided on at least a substantial portion of the second end section of the housing for reducing frictional forces between the loadbreak bushing insert and a power cable elbow connector upon connection and disconnection therebetween, the band portion including a vent, whereby upon disconnection of a power cable elbow connector from the loadbreak bushing insert, a cavity is formed therebetween, said cavity being exposed to ambient air pressure via said vent thereby substantially preventing formation of a vacuum within said cavity. 25. A loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 24, wherein the interface shell is molded from a different colored material than that of the housing.26. A loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 25, wherein the color of the interface shell is representative of an operating voltage of the loadbreak bushing insert.27. A loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 25, wherein the band portion of the shell has a first color different than that of the housing for providing visual indication of proper assembly of the loadbreak bushing insert and the sleeve portion of the shell has a second color different than that of the housing and the band portion for representing operating voltage of the loadbreak bushing insert.28. A loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 24, wherein the band portion of the interface shell is integral with the sleeve portion.29. A loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 24, wherein the vent comprises at least one vent groove formed in the band portion of the interface shell.30. A loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 24, wherein the vent comprises at least one through hole extending from an annular top surface of the band portion to a longitudinal side surface of the band portion.31. A loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 24, wherein the vent comprises a circumferential groove formed in the band portion of the interface shell.32. A loadbreak bushing insert as defined in claim 24, wherein the vent comprises a plurality of ribs circumferentially spaced along an outer surface of the band portion of the interface shell.33. A loadbreak bushing well comprising:a well housing adapted to be seated on an apparatus face plate and having an interior surface defining an open chamber for receiving therein an end section of a loadbreak bushing insert, wherein an opposite end of the loadbreak bushing insert protrudes outwardly from said bushing well for connection to a power cable elbow connector; and a bushing well interface shell provided on the interior surface of the well housing for reducing frictional forces between the loadbreak bushing insert and the bushing well upon insertion of the insert into the well, said bushing well interface shell being molded from a low coefficient of friction plastic material. 34. In combination:a power cable elbow connector including a conductor receiving end and a loadbreak bushing insert receiving end, the elbow connector further including a conductive member extending from the cable receiving end to the bushing insert receiving end, the bushing insert receiving end including an open end portion having an elbow cuff therearound; a loadbreak bushing insert comprising: an insulative housing having an axial bore therethrough, the housing including a first end section being dimensioned to be sealed in a bushing well, a second end section being dimensioned for insertion into said open end portion of said bushing insert receiving end of said power cable elbow connector and a mid-section being radially larger than the first and second end sections; a conductive member positioned within the axial bore of the housing; and an interface shell molded from a low coefficient of friction plastic and having a sleeve portion provided on at least a substantial portion of the second end section of the housing for reducing frictional forces between the loadbreak bushing insert and the power cable elbow connector upon connection and disconnection therebetween; and a loadbreak bushing well including a well housing having an interior surface defining an open chamber for receiving therein the first end section of the loadbreak bushing insert. 35. A combination as defined in claim 34, wherein the loadbreak bushing well further includes a bushing well interface shell provided on the interior surface of the well housing for reducing frictional forces between the loadbreak bushing insert and the bushing well upon insertion of the insert into the well.36. A combination as defined in claim 34, wherein the interface shell of the loadbreak bushing insert is molded from a different colored material than that of the housing of the loadbreak bushing insert.37. A combination as defined in claim 36, wherein the color of the interface shell of the loadbreak bushing insert is representative of an operating voltage of the loadbreak bushing insert.38. A combination as defined in claim 34, wherein the interface shell of the loadbreak bushing insert further includes a band portion being provided on the mid-section, adjacent the second end section of the housing of the loadbreak bushing insert.39. A combination as defined in claim 38, wherein the band portion of the shell has a first color different than that of the housing for providing visual indication of proper assembly of the loadbreak bushing insert and the sleeve portion of the shell has a second color different than that of the housing and the band portion for representing operating voltage of the loadbreak bushing insert.40. A combination as defined in claim 38, wherein the band portion of the interface shell is integral with the sleeve portion.41. A combination as defined in claim 38, wherein the band portion includes at least one vent for providing fluid communication between a cavity defined by the bushing insert receiving end of the power cable elbow connector and the bushing insert housing mid-section, with ambient air pressure surrounding the bushing insert whereby, upon disassembly therebetween, a pressure decrease within the cavity is substantially prevented to reduce the possibility of flashover.42. A combination as defined in claim 41, wherein the at least one vent comprises at least one vent groove formed in the band portion of the interface shell.43. A combination as defined in claim 41, wherein the at least one vent comprises at least one through hole extending from an annular top surface of the band portion to a longitudinal side surface of the band portion.44. A combination as defined in claim 41, wherein the at least one vent comprises a circumferential groove formed in the band portion of the interface shell.45. A combination as defined in claim 41, wherein the at least one vent comprises a plurality of ribs circumferentially spaced along an outer surface of the band portion of the interface shell.46. An electrical connector assembly comprising:an insulative housing having an axial bore therethrough, the housing including a first end section being dimensioned to be sealed in a first mating connector, a second end section being dimensioned for insertion into a second mating connector and a mid-section being radially larger than the first and second end sections; a conductive member positioned within the axial bore of the housing; and an interface shell molded from a low coefficient of friction plastic and having a sleeve portion provided on at least a substantial portion of at least one of the first and second end sections of the housing for reducing frictional forces between the electrical connector assembly and at least one of the first and second mating connectors upon connection and disconnection therebetween. 47. An electrical connector assembly as defined in claim 46, wherein the interface shell is molded from a different colored material than that of the housing.48. An electrical connector assembly as defined in claim 47, wherein the color of the interface shell is representative of an operating voltage of the electrical connector assembly.49. An electrical connector assembly as defined in claim 46, wherein the interface shell further includes a band portion being provided on the mid-section, adjacent the second end section of the housing.50. An electrical connector assembly as defined in claim 49, wherein the band portion of the shell has a first color different than that of the housing for providing visual indication of proper assembly of the electrical connector assembly and the sleeve portion of the shell has a second color different than that of the housing and the band portion for representing operating voltage of the electrical connector assembly.51. An electrical connector assembly as defined in claim 49, wherein the band portion of the interface shell is integral with the sleeve portion.52. An electrical connector assembly as defined in claim 49, wherein the band portion includes at least one vent for venting a cavity formed between the electrical connector assembly and the second mating connector upon disconnection therebetween.53. An electrical connector assembly as defined in claim 52, wherein the at least one vent comprises at least one vent groove formed in the band portion of the interface shell.54. An electrical connector assembly as defined in claim 52, wherein the at least one vent comprises at least one through hole extending from an annular top surface of the band portion to a longitudinal side surface of the band portion.55. An electrical connector assembly as defined in claim 52, wherein the at least one vent comprises a circumferential groove formed in the band portion of the interface shell.56. An electrical connector assembly as defined in claim 52, wherein the at least one vent comprises a plurality of ribs circumferentially spaced along an outer surface of the band portion of the interface shell.57. An electrical connector assembly as defined in claim 46, wherein said first end section of said insulative housing is dimensioned to be sealed in a bushing well and said second end of said insulative housing is dimensioned for insertion into a power cable elbow connector, and wherein said sleeve portion of said interface shell is provided on at least a substantial portion of said second end section of said housing.58. A method for forming a separable electrical connector comprising the steps of:forming a first insulative housing; forming a second insulative housing having an axial bore therethrough, the second housing including a first end section being dimensioned for insertion into said first insulative housing; separately molding an interface shell from a low coefficient of friction plastic, the shell having a sleeve portion being dimensioned to be fitted over at least a substantial portion of the first end section of the housing; and bonding the interface shell over at least a substantial portion of the first end section of the housing. 59. A method for forming a separable electrical connector as defined in claim 58, wherein the interface shell is molded from a different colored material than that of the second housing.60. A method for forming a separable electrical connector as defined in claim 59, wherein the color of the interface shell is representative of an operating voltage of the connector.61. A method for forming a separable electrical connector as defined in claim 58, wherein the insulative housing includes a mid-section being radially larger than the first end section and the interface shell further includes a band portion being dimensioned to be fitted on the mid-section, adjacent the first end section of the housing.62. A method for forming a separable electrical connector as defined in claim 61, wherein the band portion of the interface shell is integrally molded with the sleeve portion.63. A method for forming a separable electrical connector as defined in claim 61, wherein the band portion includes at least one vent for venting a cavity formed between the first housing and the second housing upon disconnection therebetween.64. A method for forming a separable electrical connector comprising the steps of:molding an interface shell from a low coefficient of friction plastic, the shell having an inner surface and a sleeve portion being dimensioned for insertion into a mating connector; and molding a housing within the interface shell whereby the housing is bonded to the inner surface of the shell, the housing having a first end section being molded within the sleeve portion of the shell. 65. A method for forming a separable electrical connector as defined in claim 64, wherein the interface shell is molded from a different colored material than that of the housing.66. A method for forming a separable electrical connector as defined in claim 65, wherein the color of the interface shell is representative of an operating voltage of the connector.67. A method for forming a separable electrical connector as defined in claim 64, wherein the housing includes a mid-section being radially larger than the first end section and the interface shell further includes a band portion, and wherein at least a portion of the mid-section, adjacent the first end section of the housing, is molded to the band portion.68. A method for forming a separable electrical connector as defined in claim 67, wherein the band portion of the interface shell is integrally molded with the sleeve portion.69. A method for forming a separable electrical connector as defined in claim 67, wherein the band portion includes at least one vent for venting a cavity formed between the housing and a mating connector upon disconnection therebetween.