Combination Loadbreak and Deadbreak Temporary Grounding Device

Abstract

A combination loadbreak and deadbreak temporary grounding device that includes a conductive body configured to accept a grounded bushing well; a grounded bushing well disposed through the body and having an inner end configured to slip onto a loadbreak mounting clip on a loadbreak mounting bracket and an outer end configured to accept either a loadbreak bushing or a deadbreak bushing for coupling, respectively, to either a loadbreak or deadbreak elbow connector; and a grounding cable electrically connected to the conductive body.

Claims

1. A combination loadbreak and deadbreak temporary grounding device, comprising: a conductive body configured to accept a grounded bushing well and having a cable fitting for connection to a grounding cable; and a grounded bushing well disposed through said body and having an inner end configured to slip onto a loadbreak mounting clip on a loadbreak mounting bracket and an outer end configured to accept either a loadbreak bushing well insert or a deadbreak bushing well insert for coupling, respectively, to either a loadbreak or deadbreak elbow connector.

2. The combination loadbreak and deadbreak temporary grounding device of claim 1, wherein said body is made from aluminum.

3. The combination loadbreak and deadbreak temporary grounding device of claim 2, wherein said body is a machined from a monolithic aluminum block.

4. The combination loadbreak and deadbreak temporary grounding device of claim 1, wherein said body is configured with a cylindrical opening for passage of said inner end of said grounded bushing well.

5. The combination loadbreak and deadbreak temporary grounding device of claim 4, wherein said grounded bushing well is rotatably inserted in said cylindrical opening in said body.

6. The combination loadbreak and deadbreak temporary grounding device of claim 1, wherein said grounded bushing well is rotatably inserted into said body.

7. The combination loadbreak and deadbreak temporary grounding device of claim 1, wherein said inner end of said grounded bushing well is configured with an annular channel to slip onto a loadbreak mounting bracket.

8. The combination loadbreak and deadbreak temporary grounding device of claim 1, further including a camming spring-loaded locking arm to secure a deadbreak elbow connector to a deadbreak bushing well insert when installed.

9. The combination loadbreak and deadbreak temporary grounding device of claim 1, wherein said grounded bushing well is fabricated from dielectric material.

10. The combination loadbreak and deadbreak temporary grounding device of claim 9, wherein said dielectric material is ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber.

11. The combination loadbreak and deadbreak temporary grounding device of claim 1, wherein said cable fitting is a threaded boss for coupling to a grounding cable having a complementary threaded fitting.

12. A dual function loadbreak and deadbreak temporary grounding device, comprising: a conductive body having a throughhole, an integral mounting boss having a threaded throughbore, and a ground cable fitting for selective connection to a ground cable; a bushing well secured in said conductive housing, said grounded bushing well configured with a cylindrical opening at its outer end to accept rotatable and locking insertion of either a loadbreak bushing well insert or a deadbreak bushing insert, and having an inner end that configured for slipping onto the mounting clip of a mounting bracket; and a threaded mounting eye bolt disposed through said threaded throughbore in said mounting boss and having an eye end and a head for engaging the surface of a loadbreak mounting clip on an outer end and for slipping into a deadbreak mounting clip on a second side.

13. The dual function loadbreak and deadbreak temporary grounding device of claim 12, wherein said throughhole in said body is a threaded cylindrical throughhole.

14. The dual function loadbreak and deadbreak temporary grounding device of claim 13, wherein said bushing well is cylindrical and is rotatingly secured in said threaded cylindrical throughole.

15. The dual function loadbreak and deadbreak temporary grounding device of claim 14, wherein said inner end of said bushing well includes an annular channel configured for slipping onto the mounting clip of a loadbreak mounting bracket.

16. The dual function loadbreak and deadbreak temporary grounding device of claim 12, further including a camming spring-loaded bail to secure a deadbreak connecting elbow when a deadbreak bushing well insert is installed in said bushing well.

17. The dual function loadbreak and deadbreak temporary grounding device of claim 14, wherein said device is configured ergonomically such that said eye bolt is axially aligned with the axis of a hotstick connected to said eye end.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof, which makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0021] FIG. 1 is schematic side view in elevation of a prior art loadbreak separable connector;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view in elevation of a prior art deadbreak separable connector;

[0023] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an external rod clampstick (aka, a hot stick) used for disconnecting and connecting separable connectors and temporary ground devices;

[0024] FIG. 4 is an anterior distal end view of a forearm, showing some wrist movements involved in using the hot stick of FIG. 3 for the operations indicated;

[0025] FIG. 5 is an upper perspective view of a loadbreak bushing mounting bracket;

[0026] FIG. 6 is an upper perspective view of a deadbreak bushing mounting bracket;

[0027] FIG. 7 is an upper perspective view of the combination loadbreak and deadbreak grounded well for temporarily grounding high voltage sub-surface power distribution equipment;

[0028] FIG. 8 is an upper side view showing an operator manipulating a hotstick during installation of the grounded bushing well of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 9 is a left side view in elevation showing the ground bushing well configured with a deadbreak bushing installed on a deadbreak mounting clip on sub-surface equipment interface;

[0030] FIG. 10 is an upper perspective view showing the grounded bushing well configured with a loadbreak bushing and installed on a loadbreak mounting clip;

[0031] FIG. 11 is an upper perspective view showing the grounded bushing well configured with a pivotally connected coupling screw;

[0032] FIG. 12 shows another alternative embodiment of the ground bushing well having an angled coupling screw;

[0033] FIG. 13 is a left side perspective view showing how a loadbreak bushing is installed in the grounded bushing well; and

[0034] FIG. 14 is the same perspective showing a deadbreak bushing and spring-loaded clamp installed on the groundwell bushing and installed on a deadbreak mounting clip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 4 through 14, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, prior art devices and background information as well as the new and improved ergonomic grounded bushing well of the present invention are shown, the inventive grounding device generally denominated 10 herein.

[0036] The inventive combination loadbreak and deadbreak temporary grounding device of the present invention 70 comprises a grounded bushing well 72 disposed through a conductive body 74, such as a monolithic machined aluminum body. The grounded bushing well is preferably inserted into and through and rotatingly coupled to body. The conductive body 74 includes a cylindrical passage or opening for passing the inboard end of the grounded bushing well entirely through the body. The body is fabricated from dielectric material, such as ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM). The inboard (interface) end of the grounded bushing well extends through the body and includes an annular channel 72a for slipping into a loadbreak mounting clip 54 on a loadbreak mounting bracket 50.

[0037] The body 74 is electrically connected to a grounding cable 76 through a machined copper ferrule 78, preferably connected to the body with a threaded fitting, though suitable alternatives are well known and serviceable.

[0038] The grounded bushing well next includes an outer end 80, which is an open cylindrical end that accommodates either a loadbreak bushing well insert 82 or a deadbreak bushing well insert 84, each adapted with an interface for mounting a connecting elbow when a protective cap or plug is removed. When a deadbreak bushing well insert is installed onto the grounded well bushing, a camming spring-loaded bail or locking arm 86 is used to secure a deadbreak elbow connector to the bushing well insert when the deadbreak elbow connector is installed onto the end of the deadbreak bushing well insert. The selective insertion of either the loadbreak bushing well insert 82 or deadbreak bushing well insert 84 simply entails the insertion of a male element into the open cylindrical end 80 of the grounded bushing well 72. The bushing well insert is configured with locking structure complementary to locking structure in the grounded bushing well such that it is selectively secured in the grounded bushing well with turns in a locking direction and removed with turns in an unlocking direction (FIGS. 13-14), in a manner well known in relevant art. Again, the bail simply provides a fail-safe connection for a deadbreak elbow connector when using the deadbreak bushing well insert.

[0039] The vertex 88 of the device body 74 is formed as an integral boss having a threaded bore for passing a threaded eye bolt 90 having a head 92 that engages a mounting bracket when the bolt is tightened using the hotstick to engage the eye end 94 (either CW for the loadbreak bushing configuration or CCW for the deadbreak configuration). Advantageously, the grounding device can be rapidly secured to a bracket with significantly fewer rotations by a lineman using a high speed thread pitch requiring only five turns to secure and remove the device. This feature is critical to reducing fatigue and overuse injuries and to increasing efficiency.

[0040] The bail 86 employed in the deadbreak configuration includes a combination of a plate stainless steel linkage 96 and a tensioning spring 98. Testing shows that the bail holds a deadbreak elbow connector with minimal damage while devices in current use failed (i.e., snapped), failing to secure the elbow in place.

[0041] Referring now to FIG. 8, the grounding device has an improved ergonomic configuration, wherein the eye bolt that mounts to the deadbreak mounting clip does so in direct line of sight of the lineman and axially aligned with the axis of the hotstick, thus making the act of landing the device on the bracket target significantly easier. Landing the grounding well when configured with a loadbreak bushing (see FIG. 10) is nearly as easy.

[0042] Note that the threaded fastener rotates counter-clockwise (FIG. 9) to secure the grounded bushing well to a deadbreak mounting clips and clockwise (FIG. 10) to secure to loadbreak mounting clips. In each case the temporary grounds are positively secured to the intended mounting clip, eliminating the need for assistance from a second lineman and improving safety by minimizing potential hazards.

[0043] Due to the improved design, the tasks required to ground underground electric cables, typically requiring two different temporary grounding devices, can be completed with only one grounded bushing well. The result is a reduction in operating costs and further improving efficiency and a safer installation. The dual function is made possible by configuring the grounded bushing well to accommodate either a deadbreak bushing or a loadbreak bushing.

[0044] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that in its most essential aspect, the present invention is a combination loadbreak and deadbreak temporary grounding device that includes a conductive body configured to accept a grounded bushing well; a grounded bushing well disposed through the body and having an inner end configured to slip onto a loadbreak mounting clip on a loadbreak mounting bracket and an outer end configured to accept either a loadbreak bushing or a deadbreak bushing for coupling, respectively, to either a loadbreak or deadbreak elbow connector; and a grounding cable electrically connected to the conductive body.

[0045] In embodiments, the present invention is a combination loadbreak and deadbreak temporary grounding device that includes a conductive housing having a cylindrical through hole, an integral mounting boss having a threaded throughbore, and a ground cable fitting for selective connection to a ground cable. A cylindrical bushing well is rotatingly secured in the conductive housing, the grounded bushing well configured with a cylindrical opening at its outer end that accommodates either a loadbreak bushing well insert or a deadbreak bushing well insert, and it includes an inner end that includes an annular channel for slipping onto the mounting clip of a loadbreak mounting bracket. A threaded mounting eye bolt disposed through the threaded throughhole has a head for engaging a loadbreak mounting clip on a first side and a deadbreak mounting clip on a second side.

[0046] The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention and provides an embodiment of several modes of practicing the invention presently contemplated by the inventors. While there is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of this invention, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction, dimensional relationships, and operation shown and described. Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes, and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Such changes might involve alternative materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms, functions, operational features, or the like.

[0047] Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.