Patent ID: 7077672
Filing Date: 2006-07-18
Classification: H01R,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of operating first and second electrical connectors under a load when an arc is created during a fault, comprising the steps of: inserting a second contact element of the second connector in an inner bore of a housing of the first electrical connector toward a first piston-contact element thereof; generating gas from the arc developed between the separated contact elements; directing the gas to apply a force to move the first piston-contact element in a direction toward the second contact element; expanding a resilient member located in both a bore retaining groove in the inner bore and a element retaining groove located in the piston-contact element, thereby spacing the resilient member from the element retaining groove and permitting movement of the piston-contact element from a retracted position within the inner bore by the application of the force of gas; and moving the piston-contact element to an advanced position for engaging the second contact element to provide an electrical connection between the first and second contacts to quench the arc.