Patent Publication Number: US-7915550-B2

Title: Pneumatic system electrical contact device

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to contact devices used to close electrical circuits. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
     Known systems used to control operations of aluminum processing baths can include electrical circuits closed when a crust breaking tool breaks an aperture through the hardened upper crust formed on the bath and either encounters a layer of alumina, or the molten layer of aluminum below the layer of alumina. The aperture formed through the crust is necessary to permit feeding new alumina material into the bath. When the electrical circuit closes, a signal is created which directs the crust breaking tool to retract from the crust layer. An example of such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,649,035 to Horstmann et al. A drawback of such systems occurs when crust material forms on the crust breaking tool or corrosive effects of the bath prevent completion of the electrical circuit. 
     In this situation, the crust breaking tool can remain in the bath for an undesirable length of time which can further damage the crust breaking tool, or render the detection system inoperative, which prevents feeding of the alumina material, or identification of how many feed events have occurred. A further drawback is the crust breaking tool is generally driven by a system using high pressure air. The longer the crust breaking tool is suspended, the greater volume of high pressure air is required, which increases operating costs of the system and may increase the number of air compressors and air dryers required for operation. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to several embodiments of the present disclosure, an electrical contact device operable to complete an electrical circuit includes a tubular body of an electrically insulating material. The body includes a seal member to permit the tubular body to be sealingly disposed within a cylinder. A fastener is received in the tubular body. The fastener includes a shank and a plurality of threads. A conductive biasing element has a compressed connecting end engaged with the plurality of threads, and an extending portion extending from the compressed connecting end. 
     According to other embodiments, an electrical contact device operable to complete an electrical circuit includes a tubular body of an electrically insulating material. The tubular body includes an open receiving end having a fastener clearance bore, an internally threaded bore, and a biasing element clearance bore. A fastener made of an electrically conductive material includes a shank having a plurality of external shank threads adapted to be threadably engaged with the internally threaded bore, and a shank extension extending axially from the shank. A conductive biasing element includes a compressed connecting end mechanically and conductively engaged with the shank extension, and a extending portionextending from the compressed connecting end. 
     According to other embodiments, an electrical circuit operating system includes an electrical contact device having a tubular body of an electrically insulating material. The body includes a seal member. A fastener is disposed in the tubular body. A conductive biasing element has a compressed connecting end engaged with the fastener, and an extending portion axially protracting from the compressed connecting end. A displaceable member forms a portion of an electrical circuit, the electrical circuit closed when the conductive biasing element is contacted by the displaceable member. 
     According to still other embodiments, an operating system is operable to direct a pressurized fluid to displace the displaceable member. 
     According to still other embodiments, an electrical circuit operating system for controlling operating of an aluminum processing bath includes an electrical contact device. The electrical contact device includes a tubular body of an electrically insulating material, the body including a seal member. A fastener is disposed in the tubular body. A conductive biasing element has a compressed connecting end engaged with the fastener, and an extending portion axially protracting from the compressed connecting end. A piston forms a portion of an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit is closed when the conductive biasing element is contacted by the piston. A piston rod is connected to the piston and is displaceable with the piston, the piston rod operable to break a crust of the aluminum processing bath. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a pneumatic system electrical contact device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of a tubular body for the electrical contact device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the electrical contact device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional front elevational view taken at section  4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the electrical contact device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of a fastener for the electrical contact device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of a biasing element for the electrical contact device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of the biasing element of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial cross sectional front elevational view of a piston assembly having the electrical contact device of  FIG. 1  installed therein; 
         FIG. 10  is a diagrammatic representation of a control system incorporating the electrical contact device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial cross sectional front elevational view of the electrical contact device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross sectional front elevational view of the electrical contact device shown connected to an end wall of a piston cylinder; 
         FIG. 13  is a top plan view of another embodiment of a cylinder end wall adapted to receive an electrical contact device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14  is a front elevational view of the cylinder end wall of  FIG. 13 ; and 
         FIG. 15  is a partial cross sectional side elevational view taken at section  15  of  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an electrical connector assembly  10  includes an electrically insulating tubular body  12  having an open receiving end  14  through which is received a fastener  16 . A biasing element  18  such as a coiled compression spring is electrically and mechanically connected to the fastener  16  and extends outwardly of tubular body  12 . An access cavity  20  is provided in a wall of tubular body  12  to provide access to fastener  16  to extend an electrical connection with fastener  16 . The biasing element  18  extends partially through and outwardly from a biasing element bore  22  which is created through an end face  24  of tubular body  12 . End face  24  is oppositely positioned from the open receiving end  14 . 
     According to several embodiments, a seal is provided with tubular body  12  so tubular body  12  can form a portion of a pressure boundary. The seal can be formed as a flange extending from the tubular body, an O-ring seated about the tubular body  12 , a raised surface of the tubular body  12 , and the like. According to several embodiments and as shown in  FIG. 1 , at least one perimeter or circumferential slot  26  is provided in tubular body  12  which is adapted to receive a seal member  28  such as an elastomeric O-ring. As noted above, circumferential slot  26  can be eliminated and seal member  28  can be formed as a protuberance, flange, or extension of tubular body  12 . 
     Fastener  16  is assembled into tubular body  12  in an insertion direction “A” through open receiving end  14 . According to several embodiments, fastener  16  is pre-connected to biasing element  18  such that both fastener  16  and biasing element  18  can be together loaded into tubular body  12  at the same time in the insertion direction “A”. Fastener  16  is adapted to be threadably received within tubular body  12 . A material of tubular body  12  is selected from an electrically non-conductive material, which according to several embodiments can be a polymeric material such as a polytetrafluoroethylene, a perfluoroalkoxy material, or a fluorinated ethyleneproplylene material. The material for tubular body  12  is selected both for its temperature resistance and for its ability to provide electrical insulation properties and is not limited to the materials listed above. According to several embodiments, fastener  16  is made from an electrically conductive material including a metal such as steel. Material for the biasing element  18  is also an electrically conductive material which can include a metal such as stainless steel including 1700 stainless steel. According to several embodiments, biasing element  18  is in the form of a coiled compression spring, however biasing element  18  can be provided in other forms that allow for axial or longitudinal deflection. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , according to embodiments that provide for seal member  28  as an elastomeric O-ring, tubular body  12  includes a first body portion  30  and a second body portion  32  separated from first body portion  30  by perimeter slot  26 . A raised boss  34  extends longitudinally from and is homogenously joined to second body portion  32 . Boss  34  has a diameter smaller than a diameter of either first or second body portions  30 ,  32 . Boss  34  is provided to extend an axial length of biasing element bore  22  to assist with maintaining an axial alignment of biasing element  18  as biasing element  18  extends freely away from tubular body  12 . An internal threaded bore  36  is also provided in tubular boy  12  which is coaxially aligned together with biasing element bore  22  on a bore longitudinal axis  38  of tubular body  12 . Boss  34  extends axially away from end face  24  and can be coaxially aligned with bore longitudinal axis  38 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a fastener clearance bore  40  can be created in tubular body  12 . Fastener clearance bore  40  is sized to slidably receive fastener  16 . Access cavity  20  extends transversely with respect to fastener clearance bore  40 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a perimeter aperture  42  is created in end face  24  and extends substantially parallel to bore longitudinal axis  38 . According to several embodiments, perimeter aperture  42  is a blind aperture opening only from end face  24  and extending partially through second body portion  32 . Perimeter aperture  42  is adapted to engagingly receive an anti-rotation pin  43  whose function will be described in reference to  FIG. 12 . According to several embodiments, fastener clearance bore  40  has a larger diameter than a diameter of internal threaded bore  36 , which in turn has a larger diameter than a diameter of biasing element bore  22 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , fastener  16  includes a fastener head  44  which has a recessed drive slot  46 . The geometry of recessed drive slot  46  can be selected to receive one of a plurality of different installation tools for installation of fastener  16 . According to several embodiments, recessed drive slot  46  defines a hexagonal slot adapted to receive an Allen wrench. A shank  48  extends axially from fastener head  44 . A plurality of male shank threads  50  are created on shank  48 . A reduced diameter shank extension  52  having a diameter smaller than a diameter of shank  48  extends axially away from shank  48  and is positioned opposite to fastener head  44 . A plurality of male extension threads  54  are created on reduced diameter shank extension  52 . According to several embodiments, male extension threads  54  are a 40 UNF left hand thread and male shank threads  50  are a 13 UNC right hand thread. The use of left hand or right hand threads as noted can also be modified within the scope of the present disclosure. An end face  55  is created at a junction between shank  48  and reduced diameter shank extension  52 . Fastener  16  can have a total shank length “B” which in several embodiments is 1.125 in (2.86 cm), and reduced diameter shank extension  52  can have an extension length “C” which can be 0.25 in (0.63 cm). 
     Referring to both  FIGS. 7 and 8  and again to  FIG. 6 , biasing element  18  is shown as a coiled spring having a compressed connecting end  56  and a extending portion  58 . Compressed connecting end  56  is created by abutting a plurality of coil members  60  such that the coil members  60  define an internal coil path comparable to the geometry of male extension threads  54  of fastener  16  shown and described in reference to  FIG. 6 . Extending portion 58  includes a plurality of spaced coil members  62  spaced for example as shown between exemplary coil members  62 ′,  62 ″,  62 ′″ which allows for axial deflection of the coil members  62 . Extending portion  58  can have an extending portion length “D”, and compressed connecting end  56  can have a compressed connecting end length “E” which is approximately equal to extension length “C” of reduced diameter shank extension  52 . A connecting end internal diameter “F” is provided by the coils of abutting coil members  60 , which approximates a root diameter of the male extension threads  54  of fastener  16 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , one exemplary application of electrical connector assembly  10  can be in conjunction with a piston assembly  64 . Piston assembly  64  includes a cylinder  66  defining a piston chamber  68  having a piston  70  slidably disposed within piston chamber  68  such that piston  70  can slide in either of a piston return path “G” or a piston drive path “H”. One or more seals can be disposed about an outer perimeter of piston  70  as known in the art to provide a pressure containment seal between piston  70  and an inner wall defined by cylinder  66 . A piston rod  72  is connected to piston  70  and extends transversely away from piston  70 . As piston  70  moves in either of the piston return path “G” or the piston drive path “H”, piston rod  72  is slidably moved through a cylinder end wall  74  having an electrically conductive material bearing/seal  76  creating a pressure containing boundary for piston rod  72  and piston chamber  68 . 
     Electrical connector assembly  10  can be slidably received within a connector receiving bore  78  created in cylinder end wall  74 . With electrical connector assembly  10  positioned as shown having biasing element  18  extending into piston chamber  68  and toward piston  70 , the at least one connector seal member  28  such as a rubber or an elastomeric material O-ring provides a pressure containment seal between electrical connector assembly  10 , connector receiving bore  78 , and piston chamber  68 . A portion of biasing element  18  extends freely from electrical connector assembly  10  and is the only portion of electrical connector assembly  10  positioned within piston chamber  68 , having a portion of biasing element  18  freely extending away from an end wall interior face  82  of cylinder end wall  74 . 
     An electrical conductor  84  is connected for example by soldering or mechanically connected for example by crimping directly to fastener  16  or by use of a connector that is shown and described in reference to  FIG. 11  such that electrical conductor  84  extends through access cavity  20  of electrical connector assembly  10 . An opposite end of electrical conductor  84  is connected to a system controller  86  which will be described in reference to  FIG. 10 . Electrical connector assembly  10  can be retained within connector receiving bore  78  against the pressure within piston chamber  68  using a mechanical connector such as a deflectable clamp ring  87  which engages against the inner wall defined by connector receiving bore  78  to mechanically retain electrical connector assembly  10  within connector receiving bore  78 . With the electrical connector assembly  10  and biasing element  18  positioned as shown, biasing element  18  is electrically isolated from cylinder end wall  74  by the material of tubular body  12 , and an electrical circuit is completed when a first piston surface  88  contacts biasing element  18 . The electrical circuit is partially formed through a path including piston rod  72 , piston  70 , biasing element  18 , fastener  16 , and electrical conductor  84  which is connected to system controller  86 . Completion of the electrical circuit is therefore not dependent upon a mechanical switch or displacement of a contact member, but only requires physical contact between first piston surface  88  and biasing element  18 . To permit piston  70  and piston rod  72  to be part of the electrical circuit, these components are made from an electrically conductive material. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , an operating system  90  using electrical connector assembly  10  and piston assembly  64  can be used in conjunction with a supply of a pressurized fluid such as air to direct the displacement of piston  70  and piston rod  72 , with piston  70  able to move into contact with biasing element  18 . Operating system  90  can include a first control valve  92  and a second control valve  94  which are connected to a source of pressurized air and which direct the pressurized air into the piston chamber  68  to displace piston  70 . A mechanically actuated valve  96  can also be provided which is actuated when piston  70  is in a first portion  68 ′ of piston chamber  68 . 
     A control pressure line  98  connected between each of first and second control valves  92 ,  94  and mechanically actuated valve  96  provides control pressure to each of these valves. A piston drive supply line  100  is connected to first control valve  92  and discharges into the first portion  68 ′ of piston chamber  68  above piston  70  as shown in reference to  FIG. 10 . Discharge of air via piston drive supply line  100  into piston chamber  68  therefore directs piston  70  in the piston drive path “H”. A piston return supply line  102  is connected between first control valve  92  and mechanically actuated valve  96 . A piston return connecting line  104  is then connected between mechanically actuated valve  96  and a second portion  68 ″ of piston chamber  68  to direct the source of air to the second portion  68 ″ of piston chamber  68  which is operable to move piston  70  in the piston return path “G”. Second control valve  94  receives operating commands from system controller  86  for directing pressurized air into either first or second portion  68 ′,  68 ″ of piston chamber  68 . 
     With piston  70  shown in the furthest upward extended position, an actuator  106  of mechanically actuated valve  96  is contacted by a second piston surface  108 . This physical contact with actuator  106  stops the flow of pressurized air within piston return connecting line  104  into second portion  68 ″ of piston chamber  68 , therefore stopping the upward motion and establishing an upper travel limit of piston  70 . Conversely, when piston  70  is oppositely positioned from that shown and first piston surface  88  contacts biasing element  18  of electrical connector assembly  10 , an electrical circuit is completed through electrical conductor  84  to system controller  86  which directs second control valve  94  and therefore first control valve  92  to stop flow of the pressurized air through piston drive supply line  100  into the first portion  68 ′ of piston chamber  68 . Contact between piston  70  and biasing element  18  therefore results in a lower travel limit for the position of piston  70  within cylinder  66 , and therefore also establishes a maximum outward displacement of piston rod  72 . Some overshoot of piston  70  can occur due to momentum of the parts, therefore circuit closure from contact between piston  70  and biasing element  18  provides an approximate lower travel limit for piston  70  and additional length of exposed biasing element  18  is provided to allow for some compression due to this motion. 
     The displacement of piston  70  and piston rod  72  can be used in conjunction with electrical connector assembly  10  to help control the feeding of material into an aluminum processing bath  110 . Aluminum processing bath  110  can develop a crust  112  of hardened, generally non-electrically conductive material which forms by cooling. Crust  12  is located above a mixture  114  containing alumina film and electrically conductive molten aluminum which occurs between crust  112  and purely molten aluminum layer  116 . During operation of the aluminum processing bath  110 , it is desirable to add alumina material normally in the form of a non-conductive powder by using a chisel end  118  of piston rod  72  to break through crust  112  creating a crust aperture  120 . By periodically displacing chisel end  118  through crust aperture  120  the crust aperture  120  is maintained to allow recharging of the alumina material through crust aperture  120  to create mixture  114 . 
     During normal operation of aluminum processing bath  110 , a first voltage is present in molten aluminum layer  116 . When chisel end  118  of piston rod  72  breaks through crust  120  and contacts either or both of mixture  114  and molten aluminum layer  116 , the voltage of aluminum processing bath  110  creates a current flow through piston rod  72  to system controller  86 . When current flow is sensed by system controller  86  the flow of pressurized fluid into cylinder  66  is stopped to stop the travel of piston rod  72  toward aluminum processing bath  110 , and pressurized fluid is directed into cylinder portion  68 ″ to retract piston rod  72 . Under normal operating conditions, physical contact between chisel end  118  of piston rod  72  and mixture  114  and/or molten aluminum layer  116  is sufficient to close the electrical circuit using system controller  86  to stop further flow of pressurized air via piston drive supply line  100  into cylinder  66 . If chisel end  118  becomes corroded or layered with non-conductive material of crust  112 , contact of chisel end  118  with mixture  114  or molten aluminum layer  116  will not close the electrical circuit and current flow will not be sensed by system controller  86 . If this occurs, electrical connector assembly  10  provides an alternate or secondary path to complete the electrical circuit through system controller  86  to redirect flow of the pressurized air into cylinder  66  to force piston  70  to return by piston return path “H”. 
     System controller  86  operates by sensing current flow due to the operating voltage of aluminum processing bath  110  which defines the first circuit voltage. When contact between chisel end  118  and alumina film  114  or molten aluminum layer  116  is insufficient to close the electrical circuit with system controller  86 , contact between first piston surface  88  of piston  70  and biasing element  18  closes the secondary circuit via electrical conductor  84  and system controller  86 . The secondary voltage, which can be the same or a different voltage than the first voltage of aluminum processing bath  110  is sensed by current flow to system controller  86 . Sensing of the second voltage also indicates that chisel end  118  is in contact with mixture  114  and/or molten aluminum layer  116  based on a predetermined maximum displacement of piston  70  defined when piston  70  contacts biasing element  18 . 
     A first connecting line  122  electrically connects cylinder  66  to system controller  86 . A structural voltage path line  124  connected to a piston assembly structure  126  is used to provide the remaining electrical circuit path for the first or primary circuit between system controller  86 , piston  70 , and piston rod  72 . 
     The secondary electrical circuit which includes electrical connector assembly  10  is created between system controller  86 , structural voltage path line  124 , piston assembly structure  126 , piston  70 , biasing element  18  and fastener  16  of electrical connector assembly  10 , and electrical conductor  84 . Referring again to  FIG. 1 , because biasing element  18  and fastener  16  are electrically isolated from cylinder  66  by tubular body  12 , the secondary electrical circuit is only closed when piston  70  contacts biasing element  18 . The primary electrical circuit includes system controller  86 , structural voltage path line  124 , piston assembly structure  126 , piston  70 , piston rod  72 , mixture  114  and/or molten aluminum layer  116 , and baseline voltage line  122 . A computer  128  or similar processor can also be provided with operating system  90  which can be used to direct operation of system controller  86  such as to provide delay operating times, increased or decreased voltages, and/or to determine a period between operations of piston  70  and piston rod  72  to maintain the crust aperture  120  through crust  112 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11  and again to  FIG. 6 , the components of electrical connector assembly  10  can include the following. A fastener/biasing element sub-assembly  130  is first created by rotating compressed connecting end  56  of biasing element  18  into threaded engagement with reduced diameter shank extension  52  (only partially visible in this view) of fastener  16 . Compressed connector end  56  can be threadably rotated for example in a counter-clockwise or left hand direction until compressed connecting end  56  contacts a compressible element  53  such as an O-ring which can be positioned between compressed connecting end  56  and end face  55  of fastener  16 . Compressible element  53  can be used to create a tension force between compressed connecting end  56  and end face  55  of fastener  16  to help retain biasing element  18 . Compressible element  53  can be omitted when compressed connecting end  56  forms a connection with end face  55  of fastener  16  that resists rotational release. The male extension threads  54  of fastener  16  can also be provided as right-hand threads adapted to receive compressed connector end  56  using a clockwise rotation. A conductive member such as a conductive ring  131  is slidably disposed over shank  48  and male shank threads  50  to contact head  44  of fastener  16 . The fastener/biasing element sub-assembly  130  is then inserted in the insertion direction “A” into open receiving end  14  of tubular body  12  until extending portion  58  is received within biasing element bore  22 . 
     Fastener head  44  is thereafter rotated (using a tool such as an allen wrench) to threadably engage male shank threads  50  of fastener  16  with internal threaded bore  36  of tubular body  12 . Fastener  16  is axially received on an assembly longitudinal axis  132  and is rotated until a conductive ring surface  134  of conductive ring  131  contacts a bore end surface  136  created in tubular body  12 . At this time, a portion of extending portion  58  freely extends through and beyond boss  34  of tubular body  12 . Boss  34  thereafter provides support to maintain biasing element  18  substantially coaxially aligned with assembly longitudinal axis  132 . Electrical connector assembly  10  can therefore be disassembled by using an opposite rotation of fastener  16  for example to allow removal and replacement of biasing element  18 . 
     A pressure containment seal is created by positioning a fastener seal member  138  such as an elastomeric O-ring in a circumferential slot  140  created in tubular body  12  proximate to bore end surface  136 . Seal member  138  is compressed by contact with conductive ring surface  134 , shank  48 , and a surface defined by circumferential slot  140 . To provide for connection of electrical conductor  84  and fastener  16 , electrical conductor  84  is connected for example by soldering or swaging to conductive ring  131 . Electrical conductor  84  then passes through access cavity  20 . Anti-rotation pin  43  is connected to tubular body  12  at perimeter aperture  42  using a threaded connection, a frictional fit connection, or a similar mechanical connection to retain anti-rotation pin  43 . Anti-rotation pin  43  extends away from end face  24  by a height which is less than a height of boss  34  determined with respect to end face  24 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , the connection of electrical connector assembly  10  to cylinder end wall  74  is made as follows. Connector receiving bore  78  opens at an end wall exterior face  142  of cylinder end wall  74 . Electrical connector assembly  10  is slidably inserted in an insertion direction “J” into connector receiving bore  78  such that seal member  28  is engaged against an inner wall  144  and until anti-rotation pin  43  is received in a blind pin receiving aperture  146 . Insertion of anti-rotation pin  43  into pin receiving aperture  146  thereafter prevents axial rotation of electrical connector assembly  10  within connector receiving bore  78 . At this time, boss  34  is received within a clearance bore  148  which is smaller in diameter than a diameter of connector receiving bore  78 . Clearance bore  148  creates a shoulder portion  150  of end wall  74 . 
     A free end  152  of boss  34  is positioned within clearance bore  148  and even with or below end wall interior face  82  so that no portion of boss  34  extends above end wall interior face  82  which could be impacted by piston  70 . When end face  24  of tubular body  12  abuts against shoulder portion  150 , the clamp ring  87  can be biased into engagement with the outer wall of a ring receiving counterbore  154  such that clamp ring  87  contacts a surface  156  at the open receiving end  14  of tubular body  12  to prevent displacement of electrical connector assembly  10  in a removal path “K” unless clamp ring  87  is removed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13 through 15 , and again to  FIGS. 9 and 12 , according to further embodiments a cylinder end wall  158  is modified from cylinder end wall  74  to include a raised ring  160  adapted to receive a cylinder  162  (partially shown in phantom). A connector receiving bore  164  is provided similar to connector receiving bore  78 . A clearance bore  166  is provided to receive boss  34  of electrical connector assembly  10  (not shown in these views). A ring receiving counterbore  168  is provided to receive a clamp ring  87  (not shown in these views). A conductor passage bore  170  is oriented transverse to and opens into connector receiving bore  164 . The access cavity  20  of tubular body  12  of electrical connector assembly  10  (not shown in these views) is aligned with conductor passage bore  170  to provide an alternate path for electrical conductor  84 . Connector receiving bore  164  and conductor passage bore  170  are located in a plate  172  such that conductor passage bore  170  opens through a side wall  174 . 
     It is noted items of the present disclosure can be modified without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. If the biasing element bore  22  is increased to approximately the size of the shank  48 , the reduced diameter shank extension  52  can be deleted allowing a modified compressed connecting end  56  of biasing element  18  to be threadably engaged directly with shank threads  50  of fastener  16 . Additional deflectable devices can also be substituted for the coiled spring design described herein for biasing element  18 , such as a deflectable beam, or a bendable or looped shaft. Fastener  16  can also be connected to tubular body  12  without threads, using for example a press fit, an adhesive connection, a barbed or hooked connection, and the like. 
     An electrical connector assembly  10  of the present disclosure offers several advantages. By threading a fastener  16  into an electrically insulating tubular body  12  and extending a deflectable biasing element  18  from fastener  16 , an electrical path can be created through fastener  16  by contact with biasing element  18 . Further deflection of biasing element  18  can also be accommodated due to the free length of biasing element  18  that extends away from tubular body  12 . A conductor can be connected between biasing element  18  and fastener  16  which can be led through an aperture of fastener  16  for remote connection. An anti-rotation pin  43  provided with tubular body  12  precludes axial rotation of electrical connector assembly  10 . A seal member located in a circumferential or perimeter slot in tubular body  12  allows electrical connector assembly  10  to form a portion of a pressure boundary, such as a cylinder of a piston assembly. In this application, the biasing element  18  can complete an electrical circuit by contact with a piston  70 , without deflection of biasing element  18 , thereby obviating the need for a displaceable mechanical switch. The biasing element  18  can also include a plurality of coils defining a compressed connecting end that can be threadably connected to the fastener, providing a robust yet releasable connection.