IP Library Granted Patent US 10,522,983
Granted Patent B2
US 10,522,983 · App. 15/581,585 · Granted Dec 31, 2019

Injection electrical connector

Inventors: Glen J. Bertini (Fox Island, WA); Donald R. Songras (Kent, WA); Glenn J. Luzzi (Mt. Bethel, PA)
Assignees: NOVINIUM, INC.; RICHARDS MFG, CO.
H02G1/00B29C45/14639B29C45/20F16K1/36F16K15/021F16K15/18H01B7/2813H02G1/16H02G15/013B29K2101/12B29L2031/3462
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,522,983
App. No.
15/581,585
Granted
Dec 31, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A cable accessory for injecting fluid into a cable. The accessory has first and second ends configured to be coupled to the cable and an external cable accessory, respectively. The accessory has an injection port configured to introduce the fluid to a stranded conductor of the cable. The accessory may include a body and conductive rod. The body defines a through-channel configured to receive the conductor. The rod has a first portion that extends outwardly from the second end to be received inside the external cable accessory and to form an electrical connection therewith. The rod has a second portion configured to be coupled to the conductor and form an electrical connection therewith. The second portion (with the conductor coupled thereto) is positionable inside the through-channel with the first portion extending outward from the second end. The fluid is injectable into the conductor through injection port, which extends into the through-channel.

Claims (77)

1. A cable accessory for injecting a fluid into a cable comprising a stranded conductor, the fluid being a cable treatment or rejuvenation fluid configured to be injected into the cable, the cable accessory comprising:

a first end configured to be coupled to the cable;

a second end configured to be coupled to an external cable accessory;

a through-channel extending along a longitudinal axis between the first and second ends;

an insulation portion;

an inner semi-conductor portion positioned between the insulation portion and the through-channel, the inner semi-conductor portion lining a portion of the through-channel, the portion comprising an interior chamber configured to receive an end portion of the stranded conductor therein, the inner semi-conductor portion extending to the second end but not the first end;

an injection port configured to introduce the fluid into the interior chamber, which allows the fluid to flow into the stranded conductor of the cable; and

a valved injection adapter positioned inside the interior chamber and adjacent to the injection port, the valved injection adapter being openable by an injection probe to allow the fluid to flow therethrough into the interior chamber.

2. The cable accessory of claim 1 , further comprising:

a conductor configured to be positioned in the second end and to be surrounded by the inner semi-conductor portion, the conductor being couplable to the stranded conductor inside the interior chamber.

3. The cable accessory of claim 2 , wherein the conductor is a solid metal rod.

4. The cable accessory of claim 2 , wherein the conductor is a flexible stranded conductor.

5. The cable accessory of claim 1 , further comprising:

an outer body that comprises the insulation portion and the inner semi-conductor portion; and

an inner body that is less permeable to the fluid than the outer body, the inner body lining a lined portion of the interior chamber.

6. The cable accessory of claim 1 , wherein the cable accessory is rotatable by 360 degrees about the longitudinal axis with respect to the external cable accessory when the second end is coupled to the external cable accessory.

7. The cable accessory of claim 1 , wherein the external cable accessory is a splice, a load-break elbow, a dead-break elbow, or a T-body.

8. The cable accessory of claim 1 , further comprising:

an outer semi-conductor portion, the first end being formed by the outer semi-conductor portion; and

a conductor configured to be connected to the end portion of the stranded conductor inside the interior chamber, the second end comprising the conductor, which is configured to extend into the external cable accessory and form an electrical connection therewith.

9. The cable accessory of claim 8 , wherein an outside portion of the second end is defined by the insulation portion.

10. The cable accessory of claim 9 , wherein the outer semi-conductor portion is a first semi-conductor portion,

the insulation portion is a first insulation portion,

the external cable accessory comprises a second semi-conductor portion surrounding a second insulation portion, and

the outside portion of the second end is configured to be received by the second insulation portion with the first semi-conductor portion contacting the second semi-conductor portion.

11. The cable accessory of claim 1 , further comprising:

an inner body lining the injection port and at least a lined portion of the interior chamber, the inner body being less permeable with respect to the fluid than the insulation portion and the inner semi-conductor portion.

12. The cable accessory of claim 1 , further comprising:

a conductor configured to be connected to the end portion of the stranded conductor inside the interior chamber.

13. A cable accessory for use with an external cable accessory and a cable having a conductor, the cable accessory comprising:

a body portion defining a through-channel that extends along an axis from a first open end to a second open end, the first open end being configured to receive the conductor of the cable, the second open end being formed in a body end portion configured to be received inside the external cable accessory, the through-channel passing through an interior chamber formed in the body portion, an end portion of the conductor of the cable being positionable inside the interior chamber, the body portion comprising an insulation portion and an inner semi-conductor portion, the inner semi-conductor portion being positioned between the insulation portion and the through-channel, the inner semi-conductor portion lining a lined portion of the through-channel, the lined portion extending from the second open end to the interior chamber and excluding the first open end;

a conductive rod having a first portion extending outwardly from the body end portion through the second open end to be received inside the external cable accessory and to form an electrical connection therewith, the conductive rod having a second portion configured to be coupled to the end portion of the conductor to form an electrical connection between the conductor and the conductive rod, the second portion with the conductor coupled thereto being positionable inside the interior chamber with the first portion extending outward from the end portion;

an injection port opening into the interior chamber, a cable treatment or rejuvenation fluid being injectable into the conductor of the cable through the injection port; and

a valved injection adapter positioned inside the interior chamber and adjacent to the injection port, the valved injection adapter being openable by an injection probe into the injection port to allow the cable treatment or rejuvenation fluid to flow therethrough.

14. The cable accessory of claim 13 , wherein the body end portion is a second end portion,

the body portion comprises a first end portion configured to be coupled to the cable,

the body portion comprises an outer semi-conductor portion, the first end portion being formed by the outer semi-conductor portion, and

an outside portion of the second end portion is defined by the insulation portion.

15. The cable accessory of claim 14 , wherein the outer semi-conductor portion is a first semi-conductor portion,

the insulation portion is a first insulation portion,

the external cable accessory comprises a second semi-conductor portion surrounding a second insulation portion, and

the outside portion of the second end portion is configured to be received by the second insulation portion with the first semi-conductor portion contacting the second semi-conductor portion.

16. The cable accessory of claim 13 , further comprising:

an inner body lining the injection port and at least a portion of the interior chamber, the inner body being less permeable with respect to the cable treatment or rejuvenation fluid than the insulation portion and the inner semi-conductor portion.

17. The cable accessory of claim 1 , further comprising:

a first semi-conductor portion, the first end being formed by the first semi-conductor portion, the insulation portion being a first insulation portion, an outside portion of the second end being defined by the first insulation portion, the external cable accessory comprising a second semi-conductor portion surrounding a second insulation portion, and the outside portion of the second end being configured to be received by the second insulation portion with the first semi-conductor portion contacting the second semi-conductor portion.

18. A cable accessory for injecting a fluid into a cable comprising a stranded conductor, the fluid being a cable treatment or rejuvenation fluid configured to be injected into the cable, the cable accessory comprising:

a first end configured to be coupled to the cable;

a second end configured to be coupled to an external cable accessory, the external cable accessory comprising a second semi-conductor portion surrounding a second insulation portion;

a through-channel extending along a longitudinal axis between the first and second ends;

a first insulation portion, an outside portion of the second end being defined by the first insulation portion;

an inner semi-conductor portion positioned between the first insulation portion and the through-channel, the inner semi-conductor portion lining a portion of the through-channel, the portion comprising an interior chamber configured to receive an end portion of the stranded conductor therein, the inner semi-conductor portion extending to the second end but not the first end;

a first semi-conductor portion, the first end being formed by the first semi-conductor portion, the outside portion of the second end is configured to be received by the second insulation portion with the first semi-conductor portion contacting the second semi-conductor portion; and

an injection port configured to introduce the fluid into the interior chamber, which allows the fluid to flow into the stranded conductor of the cable.

19. The cable accessory of claim 18 , further comprising:

a conductor configured to be connected to the end portion of the stranded conductor inside the interior chamber, the second end comprising the conductor, the inner semi-conductor portion surrounding the conductor at the second end, the conductor being configured to extend into the external cable accessory and form an electrical connection therewith.

20. The cable accessory of claim 19 , wherein the conductor is a solid metal rod.

21. The cable accessory of claim 19 , wherein the conductor is a flexible stranded conductor.

22. The cable accessory of claim 18 , further comprising:

an outer body that comprises the first insulation portion and the inner semi-conductor portion; and

an inner body that is less permeable to the fluid than the outer body, the inner body lining a lined portion of the interior chamber.

23. The cable accessory of claim 18 , further comprising:

an injection probe configured to be received inside the injection port.

24. The cable accessory of claim 18 , wherein the cable accessory is rotatable by 360 degrees about the longitudinal axis with respect to the external cable accessory when the second end is coupled to the external cable accessory.

25. The cable accessory of claim 18 , wherein the external cable accessory is a splice, a load-break elbow, a dead-break elbow, or a T-body.

26. The cable accessory of claim 18 , further comprising:

an inner body lining the injection port and at least a lined portion of the interior chamber, the inner body being less permeable with respect to the fluid than the first insulation portion and the inner semi-conductor portion.

27. The cable accessory of claim 18 , further comprising:

a conductor configured to be connected to the end portion of the stranded conductor inside the interior chamber.

28. A cable accessory for use with an external cable accessory and a cable, the external cable accessory comprising a second semi-conductor portion surrounding a second insulation portion, the cable having a conductor, the cable accessory comprising:

a body portion defining a through-channel that extends along an axis from a first open end to a second open end, the first open end being configured to receive the conductor of the cable, the body portion comprising a first end portion, a second end portion, a first semi-conductor portion, a first insulation portion, and an inner semi-conductor portion, the first end portion being configured to be coupled to the cable, the second open end being formed in a second end portion, the second end portion being configured to be received inside the external cable accessory, the first end portion being formed by the first semi-conductor portion, the through-channel passing through an interior chamber formed in the body portion, an end portion of the conductor of the cable being positionable inside the interior chamber, an outside portion of the second end portion is defined by the first insulation portion, the outside portion of the second end portion is configured to be received by the second insulation portion with the first semi-conductor portion contacting the second semi-conductor portion, the inner semi-conductor portion being positioned between the first insulation portion and the through-channel, the inner semi-conductor portion lining a lined portion of the through-channel, the lined portion extending from the second open end to the interior chamber and excluding the first open end;

a conductive rod having a first portion extending outwardly from the second end portion through the second open end to be received inside the external cable accessory and to form an electrical connection therewith, the conductive rod having a second portion configured to be coupled to the end portion of the conductor to form an electrical connection between the conductor and the conductive rod, the second portion with the conductor coupled thereto being positionable inside the interior chamber with the first portion extending outward from the end portion; and

an injection port opening into the interior chamber, a cable treatment or rejuvenation fluid being injectable into the conductor of the cable through the injection port.

29. The cable accessory of claim 28 , further comprising:

an inner body lining the injection port and at least a portion of the interior chamber, the inner body being less permeable with respect to the cable treatment or rejuvenation fluid than the insulation portion and the inner semi-conductor portion.

30. The cable accessory of claim 28 , wherein the through-channel extends along a longitudinal axis; and

the cable accessory is rotatable by 360 degrees about the longitudinal axis with respect to the external cable accessory when the second end portion is received inside the external cable accessory.

Assignments (12)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2025
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, LLC; TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, LLC; SUMNER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC; MADISON ELECTRIC PRODUCTS, LLC; NOVINIUM, LLC; NOVINIUM HOLDINGS, INC.; WATTEREDGE, LLC; TAPPAN WIRE & CABLE, LLC; UNITED COPPER INDUSTRIES, LLC; TOPAZ LIGHTING COMPANY LLC; OBI PARTNERS, LLC; WIIP, INC.
Reel/Frame 072299/0141 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 1, 2025
From: CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
To: ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY, LLC; RICHARDS MFG. CO. SALES, LLC; RICHARDS MFG. CO., A NEW JERSEY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Reel/Frame 070703/0807 →
MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 8, 2025
From: RICHARDS MFG. CO., A NEW JERSEY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; RICHARDS MFG. CO., A NEW JERSEY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
To: RICHARDS MFG. CO. SALES, LLC
Reel/Frame 069780/0217 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENTS Recorded Oct 23, 2024
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
To: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, LLC (F/K/A COLEMAN CABLE, INC.); TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, LLC (F/K/A TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CORPORATION); SUMNER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC; MADISON ELECTRIC PRODUCTS, LLC; NOVINIUM, LLC; WATTEREDGE, LLC; TAPPAN WIRE & CABLE, LLC; UNITED COPPER INDUSTRIES, LLC; TOPAZ LIGHTING COMPANY LLC; OBI PARTNERS, LLC; WIIP, INC.
Reel/Frame 069235/0104 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NAME OF THE ASSIGNEE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 050011 FRAME 0870. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Aug 15, 2023
From: LUZZI, GLENN J.
To: RICHARDS MFG. CO., A NEW JERSEY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Reel/Frame 064718/0102 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 21, 2023
From: ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY, LLC; RICHARDS MFG. CO. SALES, LLC; RICHARDS MFG. CO., A NEW JERSEY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
To: CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 064356/0552 →
AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Jun 13, 2022
From: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; SUMNER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, LLC; TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, LLC; MADISON ELECTRIC PRODUCTS LLC; NOVINIUM, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 060345/0048 →
AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO GRANT OF SECURITY INTERESTS IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Jun 13, 2022
From: NOVINIUM HOLDINGS, INC.; NOVINIUM, LLC
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 060345/0058 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 4, 2022
From: NOVINIUM, INC.
To: NOVINIUM, LLC
Reel/Frame 059854/0073 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 26, 2020
From: NOVINIUM, INC.; UTILX CORPORATION; UTILX OVERSEAS HOLDINGS, INC.; PLENOVO, INC.
To: STAR MOUNTAIN DIVERSIFIED CREDIT INCOME FUND III, L.P.
Reel/Frame 053609/0185 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 9, 2019
From: LUZZI, GLENN J.
To: RICHARDS MFG, CO.
Reel/Frame 050011/0870 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 5, 2018
From: BERTINI, GLEN J.; SONGRAS, DONALD R.
To: NOVINIUM, INC.
Reel/Frame 046272/0696 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62329132 · Apr 28, 2016
Related Publication 20170317478A1 · Nov 2, 2017