Smart interconnecting clamp system

Abstract

A apparatus for monitoring the integrity of an electrical wire includes a clamp system, a sensor system, a user interface configured to receive input data and output wire information, and a control unit configured to process the wire data, process the input data, and generate the output wire information. The clamp system includes a clamp and the sensor system includes a sensor configured to retrieve the wire data. In another embodiment, a portable device is configured to obtain wire data from a smart clamping system, to transmit the wire data to a processor and to receive a multi-dimensional representation, and a computer system configured to receive the wire data generated and to generate the multi-dimensional representation of the wire. A method for monitoring a wire includes capturing wire data using a clamp, transmitting the wire data to a control unit, generating wire information to output, and outputting the wire information.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A smart interconnecting clamp comprising:
 a first body portion; and   a second body portion configured to mate with the first body portion to form a center hole for holding a wire or wire bundle, the mated first body portion and second body portion having a first side, a second side directly adjacent the first side, a third side directly adjacent the second side and opposite the first side with respect to the center hole, and a fourth side directly adjacent the third side and the first side and opposite the second side with respect to the hole, the first side including a ridge with a center gap.   
     
     
         22 . The smart interconnecting clamp of  claim 21 , wherein the second side has a groove with a center tab, the third side has a ridge with a center gap, and the fourth side has a groove with a center tab. 
     
     
         23 . The smart interconnecting clamp of  claim 21 , wherein each body portion is molded from one of a thermoplastic, a thermoplastic and a plurality of high-modulus reinforcing fibers, carbon nanotubes, or carbon fibers. 
     
     
         24 . The smart interconnecting clamp of  claim 21 , wherein the first body portion and the second body portion are substantially identical. 
     
     
         25 . The smart interconnecting clamp of  claim 24 , wherein the bracket further includes an arm extending from the body on opposing sides of the groove. 
     
     
         26 . The smart interconnecting clamp of  claim 21 , further including a bracket having an elongated body, the elongated body having a length and a groove extending the length, the groove including a center hole configured for insertion of a rivet. 
     
     
         27 . The smart interconnecting clamp of  claim 21 , comprising a sensor configured to determine at least one of clamp location, current, current leakage, electromagnetic interference, frequency, temperature, and humidity. 
     
     
         28 . The smart interconnecting clamp of  claim 21 , further including a bracket, the bracket including a body with a dovetail-shaped groove and a flange connected to the body, the flange including a hole configured for insertion of a fastener. 
     
     
         29 . A bracket for connecting a smart interconnecting clamp to a surface, the bracket comprising:
 a body including a dovetail-shaped groove, the groove including a tab;   a flange connected to the body, the flange including a hole configured for insertion of a fastener.   
     
     
         30 . The bracket of  claim 29 , wherein the body and flange include at least one of thermoplastic, thermoplastic and a plurality of high-modulus reinforcing fibers, carbon nanotubes, and carbon fibers. 
     
     
         31 . A bracket for connecting a smart interconnecting clamp to a surface, the bracket comprising an elongated body, the elongated body having a length and a dovetail-shaped groove extending the length, the dovetail-shaped groove including a center hole configured for insertion of a rivet.