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US-12620729-B2 - Reversible splice connector

US12620729B2US 12620729 B2US12620729 B2US 12620729B2US-12620729-B2

Abstract

A reversible splice connector mechanically and electrically couples a pair of electrical cables, where at least one of the electrical cables has a crimped-on electrical cable terminal with a threaded opening at the distal end of the terminal. The reversible splice connector comprises a metallic tube with at least one fastener opening that aligns with the threaded opening of the terminal and at least one threaded fastener. The splice is installable and reversible without removing the crimped-on electrical cable terminal.

Inventors

  • Nathan Smith

Assignees

  • Nathan Smith

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20240209

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . A reversible splice connector for electrical cables, comprising: a splice body comprising a hollow metallic tube with first and second ends, the splice body having opposing flat surfaces at least at the first and second ends, each of the first and second ends configured to receive an electrical cable terminal having a threaded opening at a distal end of the electrical cable terminal; first and second fastener openings disposed at the opposing flat surfaces of the first end; first and second slots disposed at 90 degree offsets from the first and second fastener openings, the first and second slots extending longitudinally from the first end a predetermined distance toward a center of the splice body; third and fourth fastener openings disposed at the opposing flat surfaces at the second end; third and fourth slots disposed at 90 degree offsets from the third and fourth fastener openings, the third and fourth slots extending longitudinally from the second end a predetermined distance toward a center of the splice body; a first bolt configured to pass through the first fastener opening, to thread through a threaded opening of a first electrical cable terminal, and to pass through the second fastener opening; a second bolt configured to pass through the third fastener opening, to thread through a threaded opening of a second electrical cable terminal, and to pass through the fourth fastener opening; a first nut configured to thread onto the first bolt and to compress the opposing flat surfaces of the first end onto the first electrical cable terminal; and a second nut configured to thread onto the second bolt and to compress the opposing flat surfaces of the second end onto the second electrical cable terminal.
  2. 2 . The reversible splice connector of claim 1 , further comprising a protective splice jacket configured to encase the splice body and to protect the splice body from an environment of the splice body.
  3. 3 . The reversible splice connector of claim 2 , further comprising a semi-conductive layer within the splice jacket that is at least partly surrounding the splice body, and wherein at least one of the first and second bolts and the first and second nuts is arranged to make contact with the semi-conductive layer.
  4. 4 . The reversible splice connector of claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional shape of at least one of the first and second ends of the splice body comprises a truncated ellipse.
  5. 5 . The reversible splice connector of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second bolts and the first and second nuts is comprised of an electrically conductive material.
  6. 6 . The reversible splice connector of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second bolts and the first and second nuts has chamfered corners.
  7. 7 . The reversible splice connector of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second bolts includes a raised electrical contact feature at a head of the bolt and/or an end of the bolt.
  8. 8 . A reversible splice connector for electrical cables, comprising: a splice body comprising a metallic tube with first and second ends, the splice body having opposing flat surfaces at least at the first end, the first end configured to receive an electrical cable terminal having a threaded opening at a distal end of the electrical cable terminal; first and second fastener openings disposed at the opposing flat surfaces of the first end; first and second slots disposed at 90 degree offsets from the first and second fastener openings, the first and second slots extending longitudinally from the first end a predetermined distance toward a center of the splice body; a first fastener configured to pass through the first fastener opening, to thread through the threaded opening of the first electrical cable terminal, and to pass through the second fastener opening and to compress the opposing flat surfaces of the first end onto the first electrical cable terminal.
  9. 9 . The reversible splice connector of claim 8 , further comprising third and fourth fastener openings disposed at the opposing flat surfaces at the second end; and third and fourth slots through the splice body disposed at 90 degree offsets from the third and fourth fastener openings, the third and fourth slots extending longitudinally from the second end a predetermined distance toward a center of the splice body.
  10. 10 . The reversible splice connector of claim 8 , further comprising a crimp-type connection at the second end of the splice body, configured to receive an insulation-stripped electrical cable.
  11. 11 . The reversible splice connector of claim 8 , wherein at least at the first end of the splice body is hollow.
  12. 12 . The reversible splice connector of claim 8 , wherein the first fastener is comprised of a same material as the splice body.
  13. 13 . The reversible splice connector of claim 8 , wherein the electrical cable terminal comprises a medium or high voltage “coppertop” terminal.
  14. 14 . A reversible splice connector for electrical cables, comprising: a splice body comprising a conductive metallic tube with first and second hollow ends, each of the first and second ends configured to receive an electrical cable terminal having a threaded opening at a distal end of the electrical cable terminal; first and second fastener openings disposed at opposing surfaces of the first end; first and second slots disposed at 90 degree offsets from the first and second fastener openings, the first and second slots extending longitudinally from the first end a predetermined distance toward a center of the splice body; third and fourth fastener openings disposed at the opposing surfaces at the second end; third and fourth slots disposed at 90 degree offsets from the third and fourth fastener openings, the third and fourth slots extending longitudinally from the second end a predetermined distance toward a center of the splice body; a first fastener configured to pass through the first fastener opening, to thread through a threaded opening of a first electrical cable terminal, and to pass through the second fastener opening and to compress the opposing surfaces of the first end onto the first electrical cable terminal; and a second fastener configured to pass through the third fastener opening, to thread through a threaded opening of a second electrical cable terminal, and to pass through the fourth fastener opening and to compress the opposing surfaces of the second end onto the second electrical cable terminal.
  15. 15 . The reversible splice connector of claim 14 , further comprising first and second electrical cable terminals configured to be inserted into the first and second ends, respectively, the first and second electrical cable terminals having a threaded opening at a distal end of the first and second electrical cable terminals.
  16. 16 . The reversible splice connector of claim 15 , wherein the threaded openings of the first and second electrical cable terminals are arranged to align to the first and second fastener openings and the third and fourth fastener openings, respectively, when the first and second electrical cable terminals are within the first and second hollow ends of the splice body.
  17. 17 . The reversible splice connector of claim 14 , further comprising a splice jacket configured to encase the splice body and to protect the splice body from the environment.
  18. 18 . The reversible splice connector of claim 17 , further comprising a semi-conductive layer within the splice jacket and at least partly surrounding the splice body, and wherein at least one of the first and second fasteners is arranged to make electrical contact with the semi-conductive layer.
  19. 19 . The reversible splice connector of claim 14 , wherein a cross-sectional shape of the first and second hollow ends is arranged to match a cross-sectional shape of a distal end of the electrical cable terminal.
  20. 20 . The reversible splice connector of claim 14 , wherein the opposing surfaces of the first end comprise parallel flat surfaces and the opposing surfaces at the second end comprise parallel flat surfaces.

Description

BACKGROUND Various devices have been developed for the purpose of making electrical connections with regard to medium and high voltage applications (15-25 kV, for example). For instance, devices and equipment have been developed to help make electrical power distribution to residential neighborhoods and commercial facilities safer, more economical, and more reliable. In such medium and high voltage electrical power systems, multiple electrical distribution cables are regularly run substantial distances (often underground) and are terminated at various locations at dedicated cabinets and equipment. Terminations at the cabinets and equipment can be made safer, more economical, and more reliable with the use of specialized cable connectors, such as loadbreak apparatus connectors, including loadbreak elbows. Loadbreak elbows are adapted to fit over the end of a prepared electrical distribution cable to allow the cable to be coupled to a distribution cabinet or like equipment with optimal electrical connectivity and reliability while maintaining maximum protection for operators and technicians. Preparing the cable includes crimping a specialized terminal to the end of the cable that has a threaded opening for accepting a loadbreak probe. The loadbreak probe extends from the cable terminal at a 90 degree angle, and all components are covered by an insulating “elbow-shaped” jacket. Loadbreak elbows are designed so that the operators and technicians can efficiently engage and disengage cables with terminals at electrical distribution cabinets and equipment as needed. Cables can be moved from connection to connection within the cabinets easily to assemble and modify the distribution network according to electrical power requirements. However, in the case of a change in the distribution network, an update to on-site equipment, or other change to electrical power needs, one or more cables previously prepared with loadbreak elbows (or like connectors) may need to be spliced to other cables, either temporarily or relatively long-term, to lengthen the cables (to provide requisite slack, for example). In these situations, the loadbreak probes and elbows are removed from the cable ends, and the specialized crimped-on terminals are cut from the cable to prepare the cable for a splice connector. The specialized crimped-on terminals are then discarded or recycled as scrap, since they can no longer be used. Cutting off the old terminal for splicing is inconvenient and wasteful. Worse, if the old cable has recently been through a cable rejuvenation injection process, cutting off the new, specialized connector is problematic. Further, if the cable is to be returned to duty at the shorter length in the future, for example, the installed splice connector would then need to be cut from the cable, and the cable prepared again with a new specialized crimped-on terminal and loadbreak elbow. Of course, due to cutting the cable each time, each change to the cable results in a shorter run of cable and additional scrap. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items. For this discussion, the devices and systems illustrated in the figures are shown as having a multiplicity of components. Various implementations of devices and/or systems, as described herein, may include fewer components and remain within the scope of the disclosure. Alternately, other implementations of devices and/or systems may include additional components, or various combinations of the described components, and remain within the scope of the disclosure. Shapes and/or dimensions shown in the illustrations of the figures are for example, and other shapes and or dimensions may be used and remain within the scope of the disclosure, unless specified otherwise. FIG. 1A is a prospective side view of an example electrical cable with a cable terminal installed. FIG. 1B is a prospective front view of an example electrical cable with a cable terminal installed. FIG. 2 shows a side view of an example loadbreak elbow. FIG. 3 is a side view of an example long splice, having a crimped barrel connector. FIG. 4A shows a side view of an example reversible splice connector installed on a pair of cable terminals, according to an embodiment. FIG. 4B shows a front view of an example reversible splice connector installed on a pair of cable terminals, according to an embodiment. FIG. 5A shows a side view of an example reversible splice connector, according to an embodiment. FIG. 5B shows a front view of an example reversible splice connector, according to an embodiment. FIG. 5C shows an end view of an example reversible splice connector, according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of the ex