Patent ID: 12230914

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In general, the terms and phrases used herein have their art-recognized meaning, which can be found by reference to standard texts, journal references and contexts known to those skilled in the art. The following definitions are provided to clarify their specific use in the context of the invention.

“Load-bearing” refers to the adaptor with a cable inserted therein being able to withstand a load without dislodgment of the cable from the cable housing. This is achieved herein by the special configuration of the wedge in the wedge cavity that has a spatially narrowing dimension such that the greater the load on the cable, the greater the load is transmitted to the wedge housing.

“Universal” refers to the adaptor that is compatible with any cable size. This is accomplished by tailoring the size and configuration of the system to the cable, with larger cables having a corresponding larger passage diameter.

“Radial wedge spring” refers to a spring that generates a spring force in the radial direction relative to a cable longitudinal axis. “Longitudinal wedge spring” refers to a spring that generates a spring force in the axial direction, or the direction that the cable runs (e.g., the cable longitudinal axis).

“Integrated wedge spring” refers to a spring that can generate both the radial and longitudinal forces.

Unless defined otherwise, “substantially” refers to a value that is within at least 20%, within at least 10%, or within at least 5% of a desired or true value. Substantially, accordingly, includes a value that matches a desired value.

“Operably connected” or “in operable connection” refers to a configuration of elements, wherein an action or reaction of one element affects another element, but in a manner that preserves each element's functionality. For example, a wedge spring in operable connection with the wedge refers to the ability of the springs to radially and longitudinally position the wedge without impacting the functionality of the wedge to grip a cable and transmit forces to the walls of the wedge housing from the cable.

“Releasably connected” or “releasably connects” refers to a configuration of elements, wherein the elements can be temporarily and reliably connected to each other and, as desired, removed from each other without adversely impacting the functionality of other elements of the device. For example, a releasably connected configuration includes a threaded connection where rotation of one element relative to another element connects or disconnects the components. Similarly, two elements that snap-fit connect or friction fit to each other are similarly considered to be releasably connected to each other.

Example 1: Load-Bearing Universal Cable Adaptor

Various configurations of a load-bearing universal cable adaptor10is provided inFIGS.1A-1BandFIG.11. The arrows inFIG.1Aprovide the general orientation of “proximal” and “distal”, with distal generally in a direction away from a “stripped” portion of the cable toward a separate device to which the cable connects (e.g., to the left-side of the page). In a most general configuration, a cable seal housing20has a wedge spring70and wedge190. The cable seal housing is configured to removably connect or secure an electrical cable30(see, e.g.,FIG.3A). Cable seal housing is configured to connect to wedge housing40, with the wedge190positioned in wedge cavity50formed by a tapered inner surface60of wedge housing40. Tapered inner surface60refers to characteristic dimension, such as a diameter for a circular cross-section wedge cavity geometry that goes from a maximum dimension65at proximal end64toward a minimum dimension62at a distal end63.

Wedge spring70can be a leaf spring73(see, e.g.,FIG.3A). A wedge spring is configured to generate a radially-directed force90to ensure wedge contacts the wedge cavity tapered inner surface60. A wedge spring is configured to generate an axially-directed force110. The axially and radially generated forces may be generated by an integrated wedge spring121, such as a leaf spring73, or may comprise physically distinct springs (100101), including as illustrated in Example 3 and, for example,FIG.5.

Under an applied load120(FIG.2B) generated by a cable30(including a first cable30aand/or a second cable30b), the wedge190generates a force onto the wedge housing40while maintaining a grip on the cable30. In this manner, the applied load that would otherwise act to pull a cable out of the wedge is at least partially transferred to the wedge housing tapered inner surface60.

A central body portion130of cable seal housing20having a proximal end140and a distal end150forms a passage200defined by inner-facing surface160through which a cable30can pass. Outer-facing surface170is separated from the inner-facing surface160by a thickness. In an embodiment, the thickness is spatially-varying that tapers toward distal end150.

Wedge190has an outer surface191configured to contact tapered inner surface60of the wedge cavity50within wedge housing40. Wedge inner surface192defines a central passage210though which a cable30can pass.

Cable seal housing20is defined by proximal220and distal222ends. Proximal end220may be configured to connect to another object, such as an enclosure where an electrical connection is desired or to another adaptor, as explained in Example 2.

As desired, an O-ring, rubber gasket, or the like may be used to provide water resistance and avoid unwanted leakage between components.

FIG.11shows a preferable embodiment wherein there is an increased thread pitch on the wedge housing40that connects to threads250on the surface of cable seal housing20. In addition, wedge190with wedge spring70and wedge grips193in a separable component from cable seal housing20. Wedge spring70is positioned adjacent wo wedge grip base195and surrounding proximal region194of the plurality of axially-movable wedge grips193. This provides an improved gripping force by wedge grips193onto a cable30, including as illustrated inFIGS.12A-14B. Accordingly, wedge70may have a plurality of wedge grips193that together have a gripping face that forcibly contacts a cable30on inner surface192to provide a robust and reliable gripping force. The wedge grips may number two, three, four or more individual wedge grips193. Wedge spring70is positioned adjacent to wedge grip base195, as indicated by proximal region194. There is tolerance to size of proximal region, including to accommodate various sizes/lengths of wedge spring70.

FIG.15is a close-up view of the cable seal housing20with inner surface21having a plurality of grooves196configured to receive and retain a portion of wedge spring70.FIG.16illustrates wedge190connected to cable seal housing196, with a portion of wedge spring70, such as the top tails of the wedge spring, inserted into the grooves196. The axially movable wedge grips193have wedge inner surface192to contact and grip a cable as the wedge outer surface191is forced inward by contact with the tapered inner surface of the wedge cavity. In this manner, where only a portion of wedge spring is positioned in the groove, the rest of the wedge spring is able to axially move relative of the cable seal housing20. Accordingly, a fully assembled adaptor with cable, the wedge grips the cable, and the weight of the cable and attendant instrument acts to effectively pull the wedge grip axially toward the cavity taper. This results in an inward-directed radial force to further increase the grip of the wedge grips193against cable30, providing an even tighter grip on the cable (as well as transmitting load to the wedge housing40. This provides the functional benefit of ensuring the cable does not slip through the wedge grips. The wedge grip inner surface192may have a pattern of recess and relief features197to improve grip with a cable30, such as by increasing friction between the gripper inner surface192and an outer surface of the cable30. Exemplified are recess and relief features formed from a plurality of grooves aligned in a direction perpendicular to the cable longitudinal alignment direction.

Example 2: Serially Connecting Two Adaptors

The load-bearing universal cable adaptor ofFIGS.1A-1B(see also, for example,FIG.5) and11may be used in combination with a second adaptor to mechanically and electrically connect distinct electrical cables, including as illustrated inFIGS.2A,2B,6A,6B,9,12A,12BTo facilitate such connections, the proximal end220of cable seal housing can be configured to reversibly connect to an object240, such as a terminal block260. One example of such a connection includes threads250positioned on an inner (252) or outer surface (254) of the cable seal housing to rotationally connect to counterpart threads256on or in an object (FIG.3A,13A).FIGS.3A-3B and13A-13Billustrate an adaptor toward the bottom of the page connected to object240with a second adaptor having component parts disassembled for clarity along with a cable30to-be-inserted though the wedge housing40and cable seal housing20components, toward object240.

FIGS.4A-4B(14A-14B) are similar toFIGS.3A-3B(13A-13B), but with the object240disassembled at one side toward first cable seal housing20aand, at the other side, connected to second cable seal housing20b.

To minimize risk of damage to the wedge system from over-tightening of rotational components, a slip-clutch300may be utilized between the components being tightened.

Example 3: Separate Radial and Longitudinal Springs

Another example of an adaptor is provided inFIGS.5-8E. In this embodiment, separate longitudinal100and radial101wedge springs that provide radially-directed90and axially-directed110forces to reliably position the wedge190. A stripped cable30is connected to a terminal block260. In this embodiment, also provided is a locking groove310and a wedge pusher320for positioning the wedge in an open-state configuration.

FIGS.6A-6Bis a side view of an assembly having two integrated systems10aand10beach connected to a terminal block260.FIGS.7A-7Billustrate a wedge in a collapsed state410and an expanded state400.

Example 4: Assembly for Connecting Two Cables

FIGS.8A-8Eillustrate assembly steps for connecting two cables using two of the adaptors described herein and a terminal block. InFIG.8Athe wedge housing and cable seal are disconnected from the terminal block. InFIG.8Ba cable is inserted through the wedge housing and cable seal, and the cable wires are connected to the terminal block. InFIG.8Cthe cable seal housing is connected to the terminal block, such as by threads. InFIG.8Dthe wedge housing is threaded onto the cable seal. When the wedge fingers contact the cable seal, the wedge pusher lock is disengaged, and the wedges are seated onto the cable.FIG.8Eillustrates the wedges seated onto the cable. Similar steps are used to connect the wedge assembly ofFIG.1A, in a more refined and simple manner, including without a need for a wedge pusher or other components.

FIG.10is the statics force balance of a wedge system, including as illustrated in the top-left panel.

tan⁡(θ)=FWedge,yFWedge,xFWedge,x=FCableθ=9⁢°,FWedge,x=17⁢lbtan⁡(9⁢°)=17⁢lbFWedge,x→FWedge,x=107.3lbFCable=107.3lb

Fcableis the force on the cable due to one wedge. Utilizing multiple wedges, provides a systems that can withstand even higher forces. For example, for three wedges the total force is 321.9 lb.

Example 5: Illustrative Application

The adaptors provided herein have a range of uses and applications. For example, referring toFIG.9, in a fully assembled configuration a pair of adaptors10aand10bconnect to a terminal block260(or more generally, object240), thereby electrically connecting cables30aand30band corresponding water parameter sensor500. Depending on the application of interest, length of cable30bmay be extremely long, such as for down-hole water sensing. The weight of such a long cable can be substantial. Systems provided herein, however, reliably connect the cable to a terminal block in a manner that can withstand the load generated by the cable30band any instruments500, while maintaining electrical connectivity to another device500ain a watertight configuration.

Representative instruments that may be used with the adaptors described herein include, but are not limited to, any of those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,337,601, 5,596,193, 5,719,393, 6,157,029, 6,677,861, 6,305,944, 6,928,864, 6,938,506, 7,138,926, 7,007,541, 6,798,347, 7,832,295, 7,791,028, 8,569,705, 10,365,097, 9,689,855, 10,302,616, 10,429,369, D755655, D787964, D787962, D787963, D803081, 9,835,554, 9,778,180, and 10,393,654.

STATEMENTS REGARDING INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE AND VARIATIONS

All references throughout this application, for example patent documents including issued or granted patents or equivalents; patent application publications; and non-patent literature documents or other source material; are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, as though individually incorporated by reference, to the extent each reference is at least partially not inconsistent with the disclosure in this application (for example, a reference that is partially inconsistent is incorporated by reference except for the partially inconsistent portion of the reference).

The terms and expressions which have been employed herein are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments, exemplary embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims. The specific embodiments provided herein are examples of useful embodiments of the present invention and it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be carried out using a large number of variations of the devices, device components, methods steps set forth in the present description. As will be obvious to one of skill in the art, methods and devices useful for the present methods can include a large number of optional composition and processing elements and steps.

When a group of substituents is disclosed herein, it is understood that all individual members of that group and all subgroups, are disclosed separately. When a Markush group or other grouping is used herein, all individual members of the group and all combinations and subcombinations possible of the group are intended to be individually included in the disclosure.

Every combination of elements described or exemplified herein can be used to practice the invention, unless otherwise stated.

Whenever a range is given in the specification, for example, a size range, an angle range, a force range, or a number range, all intermediate ranges and subranges, as well as all individual values included in the ranges given are intended to be included in the disclosure. It will be understood that any subranges or individual values in a range or subrange that are included in the description herein can be excluded from the claims herein.

All patents and publications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the levels of skill of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. References cited herein are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety to indicate the state of the art as of their publication or filing date and it is intended that this information can be employed herein, if needed, to exclude specific embodiments that are in the prior art. For example, when composition of matter are claimed, it should be understood that compounds known and available in the art prior to Applicant's invention, including compounds for which an enabling disclosure is provided in the references cited herein, are not intended to be included in the composition of matter claims herein.

As used herein, “comprising” is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. As used herein, “consisting of” excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim element. As used herein, “consisting essentially of” does not exclude materials or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claim. In each instance herein any of the terms “comprising”, “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of” may be replaced with either of the other two terms. The invention illustratively described herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations which is not specifically disclosed herein.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that materials and methods other than those specifically exemplified can be employed in the practice of the invention without resort to undue experimentation. All art-known functional equivalents, of any such materials and methods are intended to be included in this invention. The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention that in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

Element List:

Element No.Element Description10Load-bearing universal cable adaptor (“connector”)10aFirst integrated wedge system10bSecond integrated wedge system20Cable seal housing21Inner facing surface (of cable seal housing)30Electrical cable32Electrical cable external surface33aFirst electrical cable stripped cable proximal end33bSecond electrical cable stripped cable proximal end40Wedge housing50Wedge cavity60Tapered inner surface (of wedge cavity)62Distal end (of wedge cavity tapered inner surface)63Dimension of distal end (of tapered inner surface)64Proximal end (of wedge cavity tapered inner surface)65Dimension of proximal end (of tapered inner surface)70Wedge spring73Leaf spring90Radially-directed force (generated by a wedge spring)100Longitudinal wedge spring101Radial wedge spring110Axially-directed force (generated by an axial spring)120Applied load121Integrated wedge spring130Central body portion (of cable seal housing)140Proximal end (of central body portion)150Distal end (of central body portion)160Inner-facing surface (of central body portion)170Outer-facing surface (of central body portion)190Wedge191Wedge outer surface192Wedge inner surface193Wedge grips194Proximal region of the plurality of axially-movablewedge grips195Wedge grip base196Grooves (in inner surface of cable seal housing)197Pattern of relief and recess features (on wedge gripinner surface)200Passage (in central body of cable seal housing)210Central passage (in wedge spring, including in leafsprings)220Proximal end of cable seal housing222Distal end of cable seal housing230Connector240Object250Threads (at cable seal proximal end)252Inner surface (of cable seal proximal end)254Outer surface (of cable seal proximal end)256Counterpart thread (on object)260Terminal block270Terminal block first surface280Terminal block second surface300Slip clutch310Locking groove320Wedge pusher400Wedge expanded state410Wedge collapsed state500Device connected to distal end of cable (e.g., liquidparameter measuring device)