Non-tangling canted coil for connecting together electrical conductors
A canted coil for use in a connector to make an electrical connection between conductors to form a conductor assembly. The canted coil includes a substantially cylindrical body formed from at least one length of conductive wire and having a series of adjacent loops with gaps in-between. The body has opposing first and second end portions. A blocking bar extends through the body of the canted coil, between the first and second end portions of the body.
1 . A canted coil for use in making an electrical connection, the canted coil comprising:
a substantially cylindrical body formed from at least one length of conductive wire and having a series of adjacent loops with gaps in-between, the body having a linear axis and opposing first and second end portions, through which the linear axis extends, and the loops being canted in the direction of the linear axis; and
a metal blocking bar having a linear section disposed inside the body and extending from the first end portion of the body to the second end portion of the body; and
wherein the blocking bar is an integral part of the canted coil, which is a unitary structure formed from a single length of the conductive wire.
2 . The canted coil of claim 1 , wherein the linear section of the blocking bar has a second end joined to a pigtail that extends axially outward at least as far as the corresponding second end portion of the body of the canted coil.
3 . The canted coil of claim 2 , wherein the linear section of the blocking bar has a free first end disposed at the first end portion of the body of the canted coil.
4 . The canted coil of claim 1 , wherein the gaps in the body are wider than the diameter of the conductive wire.
5 . The canted coil of claim 1 , wherein both ends of the single length of the conductive wire are located at the first end portion of the body of the canted coll.
6 . The canted coil of claim 1 , wherein the wire comprises a copper alloy plated with silver.
7 . A conductor assembly comprising the canted coil of claim 1 , and further comprising:
first and second conductors electrically connected together by the canted coll.
8 . The conductor assembly of claim 7 , wherein the canted coil presses against the first conductor.
9 . The conductor assembly of claim 8 , wherein the canted coil also presses against the second conductor.
10 . The conductor assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a structure against which the canted coil also presses, the structure being electrically and mechanically connected to the second conductor.