Fastening system for an electrical transmission line repair device

{
  "publication_number": "US12003069B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Fastening system for an electrical transmission line repair device",
  "abstract": "A fastening system has a conditioner clamp and a penetrating fastener. The conditioner clamp has an upper assembly and a lower assembly attachable together to define a conductor cavity therebetween. At least one threaded opening provides ingress into the conductor cavity. The penetrating fastener is extendable through the at least one threaded opening. The penetrating fastener has a threaded bolt and a penetrating portion with a proximal end at a second end region of the threaded bolt and a distal end spaced therefrom. The penetrating portion has a frustoconical configuration terminating at a tip portion. The tip portion is configured to penetrate into a conductor positioned within the conductor cavity.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A electrical transmission repair device comprising: a first conductor clamp having an upper assembly and a lower assembly attachable together to define a conductor cavity, with a plurality of threaded openings providing ingress into the conductor cavity; a second conductor clamp having an upper assembly and a lower assembly attachable together to define a conductor cavity therebetween, with a plurality of threaded openings providing ingress into the conductor cavity; the first conductor clamp being spaced apart from the second conductor clamp with at least one connector extending therebetween to couple the first conductor clamp to the second conductor clamp; a plurality of penetrating fasteners extendable through at least some of the threaded openings of at least one of the first conductor clamp and the second conductor clamp, each of the penetrating fasteners further comprising: a threaded bolt and a penetrating portion with a proximal end at a second end region of the threaded bolt and a distal end spaced therefrom, the penetrating portion having a frustoconical configuration terminating at a tip portion, with the tip portion configured to penetrate into a conductor positioned within the conductor cavity, thereby directing a compression force onto a core of the conductor.",
    "2. The electrical transmission repair device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of penetrating fasteners extendable through at least some of the threaded openings of each of the first conductor clamp and the second conductor clamp.",
    "3. The electrical transmission repair device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of threaded bolts further include a removable cap extending thereover so as to identify the penetrating fasteners.",
    "4. The electrical transmission repair device of claim 1 wherein each of the conductor cavities comprise an elongated tubular configuration defining a longitudinal axis.",
    "5. The electrical transmission repair device of claim 1 wherein the threaded bolt of the clamp fastener and the threaded bolt of the penetrating fastener are substantially identical.",
    "6. The electrical transmission repair device of claim 1 wherein the side surface of the penetrating portion comprises a linear frustoconical configuration.",
    "7. The electrical transmission repair device of claim 1 wherein the side surface of the penetrating portion comprises an arcuate frustoconical configuration.",
    "8. The electrical transmission repair device of claim 1 wherein the proximal end of the penetrating portion has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the at least one threaded opening.",
    "9. The electrical transmission repair device of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of clamp fasteners extendable through at least some of the threaded openings of at least one of the first conductor clamp and the second conductor clamp, each of the clamping fasteners further comprising: a threaded bolt and a keeper positioned at a distal end of the threaded bolt, the keeper including an outwardly concave configuration structurally configured to engage the conductor.",
    "10. The electrical transmission repair device of claim 9 wherein the plurality of clamp fasteners is extendable through at least some of the threaded openings of each of the first conductor clamp and the second conductor clamp.",
    "11. The electrical transmission repair device of claim 9 wherein the plurality of threaded openings of at least one of the first conductor clamp and the second conductor clamp extend between an inner end and an outer end thereof, wherein at least dome of the clamp fasteners and the penetrating fasteners are positioned in a sequentially alternating fashion.",
    "12. The electrical transmission repair device of claim 9 wherein a clamping fastener of the plurality of clamp fasteners is extended into each of an innermost threaded opening and an outermost threaded opening of each of the first conductor clamp and the second conductor clamp.",
    "13. The electrical transmission repair device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of threaded openings of each of the first conductor clamp and the second conductor clamp each define an axis, with the axis of each of the plurality of openings being orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of a respective one of the first conductor clamp and the second conductor clamp.",
    "14. The electrical transmission repair device of claim 13 wherein the plurality of the threaded openings of each of the first conductor clamp and the second conductor clamp are positioned so as to be linear.",
    "15. The electrical transmission repair device of claim 1 wherein a penetrating attachment comprising a coupling portion extending from the penetrating portion, the coupling portion including an interfacing bore into which the second end region of the threaded bolt is releasably insertable.",
    "16. The electrical transmission repair device of claim 15 wherein at least one pin extends through respect cross-bores in each of the threaded bolt and the penetrating attachment securing the same.",
    "17. The electrical transmission repair device of claim 15 further including a biasing assembly positioned between the penetrating attachment and the second end region, the biasing assembly including a first washer, a second washer and a Belleville washer therebetween, with the first washer engaging the threaded bolt and the second washer engaging the penetrating attachment."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The disclosure relates in general to electrical transmission repair devices suitable for use with electrical transmission and distribution lines, and more particularly, to a fastening system for an electrical transmission line repair device, and, an electrical transmission line repair device having a fastening system.\n\nElectrical transmission lines are well known in the art and include commonly known overhead types. Such types of electrical transmission lines comprise a core formed from metal members, as well as composite members having an outer conductive cladding extending around the core, typically made from an aluminum or aluminum alloy (although other conductors are likewise contemplated). These electrical transmission lines crisscross the globe and define our electrical grids.\n\nWhile these conductors are intended to last decades, as the electrical grids age, damage to conductors occurs, which can lead to further deterioration and weakening. Eventually, the conductor can be weakened to a degree insufficient to support the normal tension of the conductor and will fail. While it is desirable to replace these conductors with new conductors, in some instances, such reconductoring can be difficult to achieve for a period of time due to regulatory issues, labor issues, weather related issues, budget issues, among others. Thus, utilities employ a number of different measures or means to extend the life of the aging conductors by restoring the integrity to the deteriorated locations of the conductors and connectors.",
  "cpc": [
    "H01R 4/304",
    "F16B 33/02",
    "F16B 37/045",
    "H01R 4/36"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16B 33/02",
    "F16B 37/04",
    "H01R 4/30",
    "H01R 4/36"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Classic Connectors Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Carl Russel Tamm",
    "Randy L Wolf",
    "Brent Fields",
    "Jonathan Prinsloo"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2023-01-27",
  "publication_date": "2024-06-04",
  "grant_date": "2024-06-04",
  "priority_date": "2020-05-31",
  "application_number": "US-202318102631-A",
  "family_id": "78705576",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
  "citations": [
    "FR2731556A1",
    "US7699669B2",
    "US20170187128A1"
  ]
}