Disconnect device

{
  "publication_number": "US9194409B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Disconnect device",
  "abstract": "A disconnect assembly includes a head coupler portion and a tool coupler portion. The head coupler portion includes: a threaded portion on a first part of an exterior surface to connect to a wedge frame, a longitudinal bore, a rod configured to slide longitudinally within the longitudinal bore, and a set of annular protrusions on a second part of the exterior surface. The tool coupler portion includes: a threaded bore configured to mechanically attach the tool coupler portion to the tool, and a channel to receive a head coupler portion. The channel includes a set of grooves corresponding to the set of annular protrusions on the head coupler portion. When the head coupler portion is connected to the tool coupler portion, a ram from the hydraulic tool engages the rod to apply force to an object in the wedge frame.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A disconnect assembly for a tool that drives a ram into a wedge frame, the disconnect assembly comprising: a head coupler portion, including: a threaded portion on a first part of an exterior surface to connect to the wedge frame, a longitudinal bore, a rod configured to slide longitudinally within the longitudinal bore, and a set of annular protrusions on a second part of the exterior surface; and a tool coupler portion including: a threaded bore configured to mechanically attach the tool coupler portion to the tool, and a U-shaped channel to receive a head coupler portion through an opening at a top of the U-shaped channel, wherein the U-shaped channel includes a set of grooves corresponding to the set of annular protrusions on the head coupler portion, wherein, when the head coupler portion is connected to the tool coupler portion, the ram engages the rod to apply force to an object in the wedge frame.",
    "2. The disconnect assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a retention system to retain the head coupler portion within the U-shaped channel of the tool coupler portion.",
    "3. The disconnect assembly of claim 2, wherein the retention system is automatically activated to retain the head coupler portion upon insertion of the head coupler portion within the tool coupler portion.",
    "4. The disconnect assembly of claim 3, wherein the retention system is configured to require manual intervention to disengage the retention system.",
    "5. The disconnect assembly of claim 1, wherein the head coupler portion is configured to be received by the tool coupler portion in any rotational orientation around an axis of the longitudinal bore.",
    "6. The disconnect assembly of claim 1, wherein the set of grooves and the set of annular protrusions are mechanically indexed such that the head coupler portion can be inserted into the tool coupler portion only in a particular location within the U-shaped channel.",
    "7. The disconnect assembly of claim 1, wherein the threaded portion of the head coupler portion is configured to be inserted into the wedge frame to an adjustable depth, and wherein a depth of insertion of the threaded portion can be adjusted when the head coupler portion is not connected to the tool coupler portion.",
    "8. The disconnect assembly of claim 7, wherein the depth of insertion of the threaded portion can be adjusted when the head coupler portion is connected to the tool coupler portion and without rotating the tool.",
    "9. The disconnect assembly of claim 1, wherein the force applied to the object in the wedge frame exceeds three tons.",
    "10. The disconnect assembly of claim 1, wherein the second part of the exterior surface of the head coupler portion is substantially cylindrical.",
    "11. A system, comprising: a hydraulic drive tool including housing, a ram, and a wedge frame; and a disconnect assembly interposed between the ram and the wedge frame, the disconnect assembly comprising: a head coupler portion configured to be mechanically attached to the wedge frame, the head coupler portion including: a longitudinal bore, a rod configured to slide longitudinally within the longitudinal bore, and a first indexing interface, and a tool coupler portion configured to be mechanically secured to the housing, the tool coupler including a channel to removeably connect the head coupler portion to the tool coupler portion, wherein the channel includes a second indexing interface corresponding to the first indexing interface on the head coupler portion, wherein, when the head coupler portion is connected to the tool coupler portion, the ram engages the rod to apply force to an object in the wedge frame.",
    "12. The system of claim 11, wherein the tool coupler portion includes a threaded bore configured to mechanically attach to the housing.",
    "13. The system of claim 11, wherein the first indexing interface includes one of: a first set of protruding rings on an exterior surface of the head coupler portion, or a first set of grooves on a part of the exterior surface of the head coupler portion; and wherein the second indexing interface includes one of: a second set of grooves configured to receive the first set of protruding rings, or a second set of protruding rings configured to receive the first set of grooves.",
    "14. The system of claim 11, wherein the disconnect assembly further includes: a retention system to retain the head coupler portion within the channel of the tool coupler portion.",
    "15. The system of claim 14, wherein the retention system is automatically activated to retain the head coupler portion upon insertion of the head coupler portion within the tool coupler portion, and wherein the retention system is configured to require manual intervention to disengage the retention system.",
    "16. The system of claim 11, wherein the head coupler portion is configured to be attached to the wedge frame at an adjustable depth, and wherein a depth of attachment is adjustable when the head coupler portion is not connected to the tool coupler portion.",
    "17. The system of claim 11, wherein the depth of attachment is configured to be adjusted when the head coupler portion is connected to the tool coupler portion without rotating the tool.",
    "18. A disconnect assembly for a tool that drives a ram into a wedge frame, the disconnect assembly comprising: a head coupler portion mechanically attached to the wedge frame, the head coupler portion including: a longitudinal bore, a rod configured to slide longitudinally within the longitudinal bore, and a first indexing interface; and a tool coupler portion mechanically secured to a housing, the tool coupler including a U-shaped channel to removeably connect the head coupler portion to the tool coupler portion, wherein the U-shaped channel includes an opening at a top of the U-shaped channel to receive the head coupler portion and a second indexing interface corresponding to the first indexing interface on the head coupler portion, wherein, when the head coupler portion is connected to the tool coupler portion, the ram engages the rod to apply force to an object in the wedge frame.",
    "19. The disconnect assembly of claim 18, wherein the tool coupler portion includes a threaded bore configured to mechanically attach to the housing.",
    "20. The disconnect assembly of claim 18, further comprising: a retention system to retain the head coupler portion within the U-shaped channel of the tool coupler portion."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "In electrical power systems it is occasionally necessary to tap into an electrical power line. One known system for tapping into an electrical power line is to use a tap connector for electrically connecting a mainline electrical cable to an end of a tap line electrical cable. One such tap connector, referred to as a wedge connector, includes a conductive C-shaped member and a wedge. To install the wedge connector, two cables are positioned at opposite sides of the C-shaped member and the wedge is driven between the two cables. Insertion of the wedge forces the two cables against the C-shaped member to provide a secure conductive contact. Wedge connectors have conventionally been installed using explosively-driven connecting tools to drive the wedge. More recently, battery-operated hydraulic tools have been introduced to install wedge connectors.\n\nFIG. 1 provides an isometric view of a hydraulic tool in which apparatus and methods described herein may be implemented; FIG. 2 provides a view of the hydraulic tool of FIG. 1 including a disconnect assembly according to an implementation described herein; FIG. 3 provides a cross sectional view of a head coupler of the disconnect assembly of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 provides a cross sectional view of a tool coupler of the disconnect assembly of FIG. 2; FIG. 5 provides a cross sectional view of the disconnect assembly of FIG. 2 in a coupled configuration; FIG. 6 provides a side view of the disconnect assembly of FIG. 2, in a coupled configuration, installed between the hydraulic tool and wedge frame of FIG. 1; FIG.",
  "cpc": [
    "H01R 43/26",
    "B23P 11/00",
    "F16B 7/182",
    "H01R 4/5083",
    "Y10T 29/49826",
    "Y10T 29/49945",
    "Y10T 29/49947",
    "Y10T 403/68"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B23P 11/00",
    "F16B 7/18",
    "H01R 4/50",
    "H01R 43/26"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "THOMAS & BETTS INT"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "VALLETTE RONALD",
    "ZAHNEN JAMES L",
    "CAWOOD MATTHEW D"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2012-12-12",
  "publication_date": "2015-11-24",
  "grant_date": "2015-11-24",
  "priority_date": "2012-01-09",
  "application_number": "US-201213711726-A",
  "family_id": "48742884",
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  ]
}