The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Jan. 12, 1999

Filed:

Mar. 04, 1997
Applicant:
Inventors:

Frank John Muench, Waukesha, WI (US);

John Mitchell Makal, Menomonee Falls, WI (US);

Assignee:

Cooper Industries, Inc., Houston, TX (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H01R / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
439181 ; 439921 ;
Abstract

A novel protective cap or elbow connector comprises a semi conductive insert which includes an additional volume of air which surrounds energized portions of the elbow connector or protective cap beyond what is necessary to accommodate a female bushing. During separation of the elbow connector or protective cap from the female bushing, the semiconductive insert stretches, which increases the volume of the interior space between the elbow connector or protective cap and the female bushing. Because the additional volume of air is provided, the reduction in pressure during separation is lessened, so that the dielectric strength of the air surrounding energized portions of the elbow connector or protective cap is maintained at a higher level. The increased dielectric strength of the air significantly reduces the possibility of a flashover occurring during separation of the elbow connector or protective cap from the female bushing.


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