Apparatus for making electrically conductive contact

Abstract

Apparatus for making electrically conductive contact with an electrically conductive, elongated, body, for example a pipe or cable. Apparatus includes a base body having a metal carrier element configured as a clamp clampable around body to be contacted, and open in circumferential direction. Apparatus includes a connecting device with a connecting member, by which ends of carrier element are connectable or connected to one another when mounted. Apparatus has a contact device for establishing electrically conductive connection between body contacted and conductor, such as grounding cable. A connecting member configured for cooperating with a guide device for guiding translatory motion of connecting member, and situated at free ends of carrier element so that in mounted position of apparatus, translatory motion of the connecting member between a guide start and a guide end of guide device achieves a nondestructively detachable form fit, connecting free ends of the carrier element.

Claims

1. An apparatus for making electrically conductive contact with an electrically conductive body, comprising: a) a base body having a metal carrier element which is configured as a clamp which is clampable around a body to be contacted, and which is open in a circumferential direction; b) a connecting device which has a connecting member, via which a first free end and a second free end of the carrier element that are free in the circumferential direction are connectable or connected to one another in a mounted position; c) a contact device for establishing an electrically conductive connection between the body to be contacted and a conductor; d) the connecting member cooperating with a guide device for guiding a translatory motion of the connecting member, the guide device being situated at the first and second free ends of the carrier element, so that in the mounted position of the apparatus, a translatory motion of the connecting member between a guide start and a guide end of the guide device brings about a nondestructively detachable form fit for connecting the first and second free ends of the carrier element; and e) the connecting member is electrically conductive and electrically contacts the carrier element, wherein in the mounted position, the conductor is situated on the connecting member and is connected thereto in an electrically conductive manner.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: a) the guide device for the connecting member has a first guide situated at one of the first and second free ends of the carrier element, a second guide is situated at the remaining one of the first and second free ends, and at least one of the first guide and the second guide is elongated in the axial direction.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: a) the first guide and the second guide are each configured as a linear guide, at least in sections.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: a) the first guide and the second guide are integrally molded onto the carrier element of the base body.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: a) the first guide and the second guide each have at least one guide groove which is elongated in the axial direction with respect to the carrier element, and with which in each case at least one guide element of the connecting member engages, at least in sections, for guiding the translatory motion of the connecting member.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: a) the guide element of the connecting member is formed by at least one projection, directed toward the guide groove in the mounted position, or a protruding welt directed toward the guide groove, or at least one, in particular multiple, pegs, as the result of which at least one guide surface is formed on the connecting member, and which for guiding the translatory motion of the connecting member corresponds to at least one guide surface of the guide device of the carrier element.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: a) the particular shapes of the at least one guide surface of the guide device of the carrier element together with the at least one guide surface of the connecting member are coordinated with one another for self-locking holding of the connecting member which is guided by the guide device.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: a) at least one of the at least one guide surface of the connecting member or the at least one guide surface of the carrier element is inclined, at least in sections, with respect to the axis of the carrier element relative to its respective direction of longitudinal extension, which in the mounted position is oriented in the axial direction, for self-locking holding of the connecting member which is guided by the guide device.

9. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: a) the projection and one of the first guide and the second guide, which in the mounted position are situated in a mutually corresponding manner for a form-fit connection of the free ends of the carrier element, have mutually complementary shapes, at least in sections.

10. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: a) in the mounted position, the free ends of the carrier element are each formed by a bracket which is outwardly angled or bent in the radial direction with respect to the carrier element, and whose inner sides face one another in the mounted position, and one of the first guide and the second guide is formed as a guide groove, and is situated on at least one outer side of the bracket.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein: a) the connecting member is formed by a tubular body having an inner surface that delimits a cavity, and an outer surface, with at least one slot which, starting from a first end-face side of the tubular body, extends, at least in sections, in a direction of a second end-face side of the tubular body, and forms an opening in the tubular body from the outer surface into the cavity, wherein, due to the surface sections of the inner surface or outer surface which adjoin the mutually facing end-face sides of the slot, guide surfaces of the guide device are formed which, in the mounted position, interact with at least one guide groove or the guide surface(s) thereof of the first guide or second guide, formed on the brackets for guiding the translatory motion of the connecting member, wherein at least the inner surface of the tubular body, has a tapered or conical shape between the first end-face side and the second end-face side, at least in sections.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein: a) contact surfaces are situated on the bracket, the contact surfaces interact with at least one surface section of the inner surface of the tubular body in order to guide the translatory motion along at least one guide groove of the guide of the carrier element.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: a) the contact device has at least one electrically conductive contact element which is deformable under a pressure load, and which contacts the body to be electrically contacted and electrically connects same to the carrier element, wherein the contact element is situated on an inner side of the carrier element, which in the mounted position faces the body to be contacted.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: a) the base body has a sealing member which is situated on the carrier element, and which has at least one flexible sealing strip, which in the mounted position is situated on an inner side of the carrier element which in the mounted position faces the body to be electrically contacted, forming a recess via which the contact device, electrically contacts the body to be electrically contacted.

15. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: a) the connecting member is secured against movement on the one of the first guide and the second guide by a securing member.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: a) the carrier element has a one-part configuration, and the connecting member has a one-part configuration.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: a) the carrier element is an electrically conductive material.

18. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: a) the conductor is held on the connecting member under a clamping effect.

19. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: a) the conductor is held on the connecting member in a force-fit, form-fit, or integrally joined manner.

20. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: a) the body is an elongated body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention for making electrically conductive contact with an electrically conductive, in particular elongated, for example substantially cylindrical, body, for example a pipe or a cable, in a schematic representation in a partial sectional illustration along the axis of the carrier element, the illustrated connecting member being analogously shown in a sectional illustration (schematic longitudinal illustration),

(2) FIG. 2 shows the apparatus 2 in a sectional illustration denoted by reference character z-z within FIG. 1, in a schematic representation,

(3) FIG. 3 shows a portion of the apparatus 2 in a mounted position in the same illustration as in FIG. 2, in a schematic representation,

(4) FIG. 4 shows the connecting member of the apparatus 2 in an isometric view and in a schematic representation,

(5) FIG. 5 shows the connecting member in a longitudinal cross section, in a schematic representation,

(6) FIG. 6 shows the carrier element in a cross-sectional illustration, in a schematic representation,

(7) FIG. 7 shows the sealing member of the first embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention in a top view, in which the sealing member in a layout illustration as a strip in a schematic representation,

(8) FIG. 8 shows a portion of a coaxial cable as an example of a body to be electrically contacted with an outer conductor which is bared in sections, and which springs back radially with respect to a sheathing of the coaxial cable, in a schematic side view,

(9) FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention in a schematic perspective view, the illustration being reduced to a connecting member with a grounding cable (of which a portion is illustrated) situated thereon, and

(10) FIG. 10 shows the connecting member shown in FIG. 9 in a longitudinal illustration of the second embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(11) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an apparatus 2 according to the invention for making electrically conductive contact with an electrically conductive, in particular elongated, substantially cylindrical, body 4, and in this embodiment is an apparatus 2 according to the invention for making electrically conductive contact with an outer conductor 6 of a coaxial cable 4′, the conductor being bared, at least in sections, and springing back radially with respect to a sheathing 8 of the coaxial cable 4′. The embodiment of an apparatus 2 according to the invention, as previously described, is denoted below as apparatus 2 for short.

(12) The apparatus is provided with a base body 11, which at least one carrier element 12 which is open in the circumferential direction 14 and which is provided around the body 4 to be contacted or around the coaxial cable 4′ to be contacted. The circumferential direction 14 is symbolized by a curved arrow in FIG. 1.

(13) In addition, FIG. 1 shows the axis 16 of the coaxial cable 4′, with respect to which the sheathing 8 of the coaxial cable 4′ springs back radially, coaxially with respect to the carrier element 12 of the apparatus 2 according to the invention which is mounted on the coaxial cable 4′ in the mounted position, around which the carrier element 12, designed as a clampable clamp 10, is situated.

(14) The apparatus 2 is also provided with a connecting device 18 which has a connecting member 20 via which the ends 22, 22′ of the carrier element 12, which are free in the circumferential direction 14, and which may be termed first free end 22 and second free end 22′ respectively, are connected to one another in the mounted position shown. For better clarity, the connecting member 20 is illustrated next to the carrier element 12 onto which it may be pushed

(15) In addition, the apparatus 2 has a contact device 24 for establishing an electrically conductive connection between the body 4 to be contacted or the outer conductor 6, bared in sections, of the coaxial cable 4′, and a conductor 27, which in this embodiment is a grounding cable 27′. It is thus possible for very high voltages and currents, which occur during lightning strikes, for example, to be diverted from the body 4 via the apparatus 2, for example in order to “ground” the body.

(16) In the apparatus 2, the connecting member 20 is configured and designed for cooperating with the guide device 28, situated at the free ends 22, 22′ of the carrier element 12, for guiding the translatory motion of the connecting member 20, in such a way that in the mounted position of the apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 1, a translatory motion of the connecting member 20 between a guide start (A) and a guide end (E) of the guide device 28 brings about a form fit, which is in particular nondestructively detachable, for connecting the free ends 22, 22′ of the carrier element 12.

(17) A form-fit connection of the free ends 22, 22′ of the carrier element 12 via the connecting member 20 is thus achievable. The form-fit connection of the above-mentioned free ends 22, 22′ takes place by means of the connecting member 20.

(18) In FIG. 1, the guide start of the guide device 28 is denoted by reference character A and the guide end of the guide device 28 is denoted by reference character E, resulting in a preferred direction in which the movement of the connecting member 20 is guided by the connecting device 18 for connecting the free ends 22, 22′ of the carrier element 12.

(19) According to the invention, it is considered that the above-mentioned guide start A may optionally also form the above-mentioned guide end E of the guide device 28, and vice versa.

(20) It is apparent in FIG. 1 that the grounding cable 27′ is situated on the connecting member 20, to which it is mechanically as well as electrically connected by means of a pressing operation.

(21) The grounding cable 27′ is also electrically connected to a grounding potential 29, which is represented by a corresponding arrow symbol in FIG. 1.

(22) In addition, the apparatus 2 has a sealing member 30 which is used for protecting the outer conductor 6, bared in sections for the electrical contacting, of the coaxial cable 4′ from corrosive damage to the outer conductor 6 or from media having a corrosive action on the body 4 to be electrically contacted.

(23) Accordingly, the base body 11 has a corresponding sealing member 30 which is situated on the carrier element 12 and which has a flexible sealing strip 30′, which in the mounted position shown is situated on an inner side 26 of the carrier element 12 facing the body 4 to be electrically contacted, forming a recess 31 via which the contact device 24, in particular the contact element 25, electrically contacts the body 4.

(24) Thus, the contact device 24 has at least one electrically conductive contact element 25 which is deformable under a pressure load, and which in the mounted position contacts the body 4 to be electrically contacted and electrically connects same to the carrier element 12, the contact element 25 being situated on the inner side 26 of the carrier element 12 facing the body 4 in the mounted position.

(25) Further details of the apparatus 2 are explained with reference to the figures described below.

(26) FIG. 2 shows the apparatus 2 in a sectional illustration denoted by reference character z-z within FIG. 1, in a schematic representation. The carrier element 12 is configured and designed for connection of its ends 22, 22′, which are free in the circumferential direction 14, in such a way that at each of the above-mentioned free ends 22, 22′ at least one guide 32, 32′ for the connecting member 20 is formed, which in the mounted position of the apparatus 2 guides the connecting member 20 for a translatory motion in the axial direction 34 with respect to the carrier element 12. The axial direction 34 is denoted by a dot-in-circle symbol in FIG. 2.

(27) The connecting member 20 which is inserted, at least in sections, into the respective guide 32, 32′ between the respective guide start A and the respective guide end E by means of at least one guide element 36, 36′ brings about a form-fit connection of the free ends 22, 22′ of the carrier element.

(28) In this embodiment of an apparatus 2 according to the invention, the respective guide 32, 32′ is designed as a linear guide 38, 38′, so that the movement of the connecting member is guided essentially, or in sections, linearly by the respective linear guide 38, 38′ in the axial direction 34 with respect to the carrier element 12.

(29) To this end, the apparatus 2 is configured and designed in such a way that the guide device 28 for the connecting member 20 is formed by at least one first guide 32 situated at one free end 22 of the carrier element 12, and by a second guide 32′ situated at the remaining free end 22′, the first guide 32 and the second guide 32′ each being elongated in the axial direction 34.

(30) The first guide 32 and the second guide 32′ have a guide groove 40, 40′, respectively, which is elongated in the axial direction 34 with respect to the carrier element 12, and with which a guide element 36, 36′, respectively, of the connecting member 20 engages, at least in sections, for guiding the translatory motion of the connecting member 20.

(31) To be able to guide the connecting member 20 via the particular guide with regard to a translatory motion, the connecting member 20 engages, at least in sections, with the guide groove 40 of the first guide 32 and with the guide groove 40′ of the second guide 32′ by means of a guide element 36, 36′, respectively.

(32) For this purpose, in this embodiment of an apparatus 2 according to the invention, the guide element 36, 36′ of the connecting member 20 is formed by a projection 42, 42′, respectively, which extends transversely with respect to the direction of the longitudinal extension 43 of the connecting member 20, and thus, toward the respective guide groove 40, 40′, in the mounted position, with which the projection engages, at least in sections. The direction of longitudinal extension 43 is once again represented by a dot-in-circle symbol.

(33) Alternatively, it is possible to replace at least one of the projections 42, 42′ by pegs which are situated, for example, adjacently or at a distance from one another in the direction of longitudinal extension 43 of the connecting member 20.

(34) The connecting member 20 is formed by a tubular body 44 having an inner surface 48 which delimits a cavity 46, and an outer surface 50, and in particular having a rectangular profile cross section, at least in sections, with at least one slot 56 which, starting from a first end-face side 52 of the tubular body 44, extends, at least in sections, in the direction of the second end-face side 54 of the tubular body, and forms an opening 56′ in the tubular body 44 from the outer surface 50 to the cavity 46, wherein guide surfaces 62, 62′, 64, 64′ of the guide device 28 are formed by the surface sections 60, 60′ of the inner surface 48 or outer surface 48 which adjoin the mutually facing end-face sides 58, 58′ of the slot 56, and which in the mounted position interact with at least one guide groove 40, 40′ or the guide surfaces 68, 68′, 70, 70′ thereof of the first guide 32 or second guide 32′, formed on the brackets 66, 66′ (explained below) for guiding the translatory motion of the connecting member 20, wherein the inner surface 46 of the tubular body 44 as well as the outer surface 50 of the tubular body 44 in the longitudinal extension 43 of the connecting member 20 have a conical shape, at least in sections, between the first end-face side 52 and the second end-face side 54.

(35) This results in guide surfaces 62, 62′, 64, 64′ in each case via which the connecting member 20 corresponds to or interacts with the respective guide surfaces 68, 68′, 70, 70′ of the first and second guides 32, 32′ in order to guide the translatory motion of the connecting member 20.

(36) For easier handling of the apparatus 2 and more secure holding of the connecting member 20 on the carrier element 12, the respective guide surfaces 62, 62′, 64, 64′ of the connecting member 20 cooperate with the corresponding guide surfaces 68, 68′, 70, 70′ of the guide device 28 of the carrier element 12 for self-locking holding of the connecting member 20 which is guided by the guide device 28, so that the shape of the respective guide surfaces 46, 48 is coordinated with the corresponding guide surfaces 50, 52 of the connecting member 20 for self-locking holding of the connecting member 20 which is guided by the guide device 28.

(37) For this purpose, the guide surfaces 62, 62′, 64, 64′ and 68, 68′, 70, 70′ in their respective longitudinal extension, which in the mounted position runs in the axial direction 34, are inclined with respect to the axis of the cable 16 or the axis of the carrier element 16′ in the mounted position, so that in the mounted position, the respective guide groove 40, 40′ has a tapered shape in the axial direction 34.

(38) For self-locking, the angle of inclination of the corresponding guide surfaces 62, 64, 68, 70 is a function of the static friction coefficient of their respective surface, so that it is known to those skilled in the art that the angle of inclination that results between the mutually corresponding guide surfaces 62, 64, 68, 70 should be designed to be less than or equal to the arc tangent of the static friction coefficient.

(39) In addition, the brackets 66, 66′ have at least one contact surface 72, 72′, respectively, in particular at the respective free end 22, 22′ of the carrier element 12, which interacts with or corresponds to at least one surface section 48′ of the inner surface 48 of the tubular body 44 in order to guide the translatory motion along at least one guide groove 40, 40′ of the first and second guides 32, 32′ of the carrier element 12.

(40) FIG. 3 shows the apparatus 2 in the same illustration as in FIG. 2, but reduced to a section of the apparatus 2 or the body 4 to be contacted shown in FIG. 2. It is apparent from the illustration that the projection 42, 42′ and the first and second guides 32, 32′, which in the mounted position shown mutually correspond or interact with one another for a form-fit connection of the free ends 22, 22′ of the carrier element 12, have complementary shapes, at least in sections.

(41) The apparatus 2, as already stated above, is characterized in that in the mounted position shown, the free ends 22, 22′ of the carrier element 12 are formed by brackets 66, 66′, respectively, which are outwardly angled or bent in the radial direction 16″ with respect to the carrier element 12, and whose inner sides 78, 78′ face one another in the mounted position shown, and in particular the first guide 32 and second guide 32′, which are formed in particular as a guide groove 40, 40′, respectively, are situated on at least one outer side 80, 80′ of a bracket 66, 66′.

(42) The sealing member 29 mentioned above is used for protecting the area 82 of the electrical contacting between the apparatus 2 and the body 4, 4′ to be electrically contacted, in which the outer conductor 6 of the coaxial cable 4′ is bared in sections for the electrical contacting, in particular from corrosion due to environmental influences, and from media which have a tendency to adversely affect the contact between the apparatus 2 and the body 4, 4′ to be electrically contacted.

(43) FIG. 4 shows the connecting member of the apparatus 2 in a perspective schematic view. The connecting member 20 is formed in one piece as a precision casting part.

(44) The grounding cable 27′ is situated on the connecting member 20 with a force fit, and is held on same via a sleeve 84 which has been formed for this purpose in a forming process. To this end, the free end 86 of the conductor 27, 27′ which is bared, at least in sections, is insertable into the sleeve 84, and is connectable or connected by deforming or pressing the sleeve 84 tightly against the connecting member 20.

(45) FIG. 5 shows the connecting member in a longitudinal cross section.

(46) FIG. 6 shows the carrier element in a cross-sectional illustration. It is apparent from the illustration in FIG. 6 that the carrier element 12 is likewise formed in one piece by a band-shaped metal carrier element 10 made of stainless steel.

(47) Accordingly, the brackets 66, 66′ are likewise made of a metal or stainless steel.

(48) As a result, electrical conduction occurs from the body 4 to be electrically contacted, via the contact device 24 and the carrier element 12, to the connecting member 20, and lastly, to the conductor 27 or grounding cable 27′ situated thereon.

(49) It is apparent that the connecting member takes on a double function, in which it connects the free ends 22, 22′ of the carrier element 12 to one another, and in a manner of speaking, an electrical line is formed from the body 4 to be contacted to the conductor 27 or grounding cable 27′.

(50) For electrical contacting, the contact device 24 has

(51) FIG. 7 shows the sealing member 30 in a top view, in which the sealing member 30 is shown in a layout illustration as a flexible sealing strip 30′ in a schematic representation, which in this embodiment is formed from a flexible sealing strip 30′ in which an inner area 88 for electrically contacting the body 4 to be electrically contacted has a recess 90 via which the contact device 24 contacts the body 4 to be contacted or the outer conductor 6 of the coaxial cable 4′.

(52) The sealing member 30 is made of an elastic material, in the present embodiment an elastomer, and is removably situated on the inner side 26 of the carrier element 12, which in the mounted position faces the body 4, 4′ to be electrically contacted.

(53) The sealing member 30 extends up to the brackets 66, 66′, and in the mounted position of its free ends 92, 92′ is clamped between the brackets as soon as the free ends 22, 22′ of the carrier element 12 become/are connected to one another with a form fit by the connecting member 20.

(54) The apparatus 2 thus has the advantage that the sealing member 30 is uniformly pressed together in the area of the brackets 66, 66′, so that leaks due to formation of corrugations of the sealing member 30 in the area of the brackets 66, 66′ are effectively avoided.

(55) FIG. 8 shows a section of a coaxial cable 4′ as an example of the body 4 to be electrically contacted with an outer conductor 6 which is bared in sections, and which springs back radially with respect to the sheathing 8 of the coaxial cable 4′.

(56) FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of an apparatus 2 according to the invention in a schematic perspective view, in which the illustration is reduced to a connecting member with a grounding cable (of which a portion is illustrated) situated thereon. The second embodiment of an apparatus 2 according to the invention is also referred to below as apparatus 2 for short. The apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 9 conforms to the first embodiment of an apparatus 2 according to the invention, as shown and explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. However, there is the difference that the apparatus 2 in FIG. 9 uses a circular tubular body 44 for forming the connecting member 20. In addition, the connecting member 20 of the apparatus is designed in such a way that the conductor 27 or the grounding cable 27′ is insertable in sections directly at the opening 94 in the tubular body 44, and after it is inserted in sections into the tubular body 44, it is held on the tubular body 44 by deformation or pressing of same, the tubular body being deformed by application of a compressive force in order to hold the conductor 27 in question on the connecting member 20 by means of a clamping effect. For this purpose, the tubular body 44 has a cylindrical shape in the vicinity of the second end-face side 54, wherein the conicity in this area in which the conductor 27 is inserted into the tubular body 44 or the connecting member 20 is essentially eliminated.

(57) FIG. 10 shows the connecting member 20 of the second embodiment of an apparatus 2 according to the invention illustrated in FIG. 9, in a longitudinal sectional illustration. It is apparent in FIG. 10 that the tubular body 44 has a tapered or conical shape in sections in its direction of longitudinal extension 43 from the end-face side 52 toward the end-face side 54.

(58) Thus, an example is shown for holding the conductor 27 on the connecting member 20 under a clamping effect.

(59) In addition, it is possible to situate the conductor 27 on the connecting member, using a coupling/plug combination. Approaches having a design as an electrically conductive clamp, for example, are suitable for this purpose.

(60) It is clear to those skilled in the art that components which are used for the electrical conduction must correspondingly be electrically conductive.

(61) Numerous embodiments result with regard to an apparatus according to the invention, of which a selection is illustrated in the above-mentioned figures.

(62) While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, and uses and/or adaptations of the invention and following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention.