Shielding tape grounding device for high voltage cables

Abstract

A shielding tape grounding device which is installed on a high voltage cable of the type having a metallic shielding tape for the purpose of grounding the shielding tape, the device including a sleeve of elastomeric material, preferably electrically conductive, a corrugated band seated within the sleeve, a grounding rod connected to the band, and a clamp surrounding the sleeve and the band such that the sleeve may be slipped over the cable to place the band over a bared portion of the metallic shielding tape and the clamp may be tightened to draw the band into engagement with the tape and provide a direct connection to ground through the grounding rod.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. A shielding tape grounding device for use in connection with a shielded high voltage power cable of the type having an inner conductor, insulation surrounding the conductor, a shielding system including a metallic tape shield surrounding the insulation, and an outer jacket surrounding the metallic tape shield, said grounding device comprising: clamping means, said clamping means including a sleeve of elastomeric material defining an inner surface portion with an internal diameter substantially greater than the external diameter of the metallic shield, said clamping means including means selectively operable for decreasing the internal diameter of said inner surface portion;   electrical contact means including a band of conductive material disposed within said elastomeric sleeve in juxtaposed relation to said inner surface portion, said band being adapted to extend circumferentially around at least a portion of a bared portion of said metallic tape shield, said electrical contact means having flexure means for enabling resilient flexure of at least a portion of the band in a radial direction relative to said bared portion of said metallic tape shield in response to a decrease in the internal diameter of said inner surface portion by the action of said selectively operable means whereby said at least portion of said band is adapted to resiliently engage said metallic tape shield when said grounding device is located on said cable with said band extending circumferentially around said at least portion of said metallic tape shield; and   a grounding conductor electrically connected to the band and adapted to extend radially outward beyond the clamping means when said grounding device is located on said cable as hereinaforesaid.   
     
     
       2. The grounding device of claim 1 wherein said means for selectively decreasing the internal diameter of said inner surface portion comprises a circumferentially contractable clamp member disposed around the exterior surface of the sleeve, said clamp member being located at least at the axial location of the band when said grounding device is located on said cable. 
     
     
       3. The grounding device of claim 2 wherein the material of said sleeve is a conductive elastomer. 
     
     
       4. The grounding device of claim 2 wherein said flexure means include a plurality of axially extending corrugations in said band, said corrugations defining a first plurality of contact peaks adapted for resilient engagement with said inner surface portion and a second plurality of contact peaks adapted for resilient engagement with said metallic shield when said grounding device is located on said cable, said second plurality of contact peaks comprising said at least portion of the band. 
     
     
       5. The grounding device of claim 1 wherein said sleeve of elastomeric material includes an end portion extending axially beyond the band and the clamping means, said end portion of the sleeve having an opening therein, the relative normal diameters of said opening in said end portion of the sleeve and the outer jacket of the cable being such that the end portion of the sleeve must be resiliently dilated to receive the outer jacket and will engage and grip the outer jacket in watertight relationship therewith when the grounding device is located on said cable. 
     
     
       6. The grounding device of claim 5 wherein the sleeve is constructed of an electrically conductive elastomeric material. 
     
     
       7. The grounding device of claim 5 wherein said sleeve includes a second end portion oppositely disposed with respect to said first end portion, said second end portion extending axially beyond the band and the clamping means and having a further opening therein the relative normal diameters of the further opening and the insulation of the cable being such that the second end portion must be resiliently dilated to receive the insulation and will engage and grip the insulation in watertight relationship therewith when the grounding device is located on said cable. 
     
     
       8. The grounding device of claim 7 wherein the elastomeric sleeve is of electrically conductive material and includes an outer surface adjacent to the second end portion thereof for cooperatively engaging and making electrical contact with a corresponding bore portion in the shield of a shielded terminator or connector to electrically connect the shield of said terminator or connector with the shielding system of the cable. 
     
     
       9. The grounding device of claim 1 including a housing of elastomeric material surrounding at least said band when the grounding device is located on said cable, said housing including: opposite first and second ends;   a first end portion extending axially beyond the band and the annular clamping means toward one end of the housing; and   a second end portion extending axially beyond the band and the annular clamping means toward the other end of the housing;   a first through opening within said first end portion, the relative normal diameters of the first through opening and the outer jacket of the cable being such that the first end portion must be resiliently dilated to receive the outer jacket of the cable and will engage and grip the outer jacket in watertight relationship therewith, and a second through opening within the second end portion, the relative normal diameters of the second end portion and a corresponding outer surface of a shielded electrical connector or terminator affixed to the cable adjacent said second end of said housing being such that the second end portion must be resiliently dilated to receive said corresponding surface and will engage and grip said corresponding surface in watertight relationship therewith.   
     
     
       10. The grounding device of claim 9 wherein the housing is constructed of an electrically conductive material and provides electrical continuity between the jacket and the corresponding outer surface of the shielded electrical connector or terminator. 
     
     
       11. Apparatus for use in connection with a shielded high voltage power cable of the type having an inner conductor, insulation surrounding the conductor, a shielding system including a metallic tape shield surrounding the insulation, and an outer jacket surrounding the metallic tape shield, said apparatus comprising: electrical contact means including a band of conductive material adapted to surround said metallic tape shield along at least a portion of the circumferential extent of the metallic tape shield's outer periphery when a portion of said outer jacket has been removed to expose said metallic tape shield, said electrical contact means having means for enabling resilient flexure of at least a portion of said band in both a radial and a circumferential direction relative to the outer periphery of said metallic tape shield when said contact means is disposed on said cable in position to circumferentially surround at least a portion of the metallic tape shield's outer periphery,   adjustable means surrounding said electrical contact means for selectively applying a force to said electrical contact means whereby said at least portion of said band is adapted to be radially and circumferentially displaced into effective electrical contact with the outer periphery of said metallic tape shield by the action of said adjustable means and   grounding conductor means being electrically connected to said conductive band and extending radially outwardly beyond said adjustable force applying means whereby said grounding conductor means is adapted to be maintained in effective electrical contact with said metallic tape shield upon suitable adjustment of said adjustable force applying means.   
     
     
       12. The invention of claim 11 wherein said adjustable force applying means includes means for radially contracting and circumferentially elongating said band relative to said outer periphery of said metallic tape shield. 
     
     
       13. The invention of claim 12 wherein said grounding conductor means includes a pair of remotely disposed ends, one end of said grounding conductor means being disposed between said at least portion of said conductor band and said outer periphery of said metallic tape shield and being maintained in effective electrical contact with said metallic tape shield by the action of said radially contracting and circumferentially elongating means when said contact means is disposed on said cable as hereinaforesaid. 
     
     
       14. The invention of claim 13 wherein said at least portion of said conductive band includes at least one other portion displaced along the longitudinal extent of said band with respect to said one end of said grounding conducting means, said at least one other portion adapted to be maintained in effective electrical contact with said metallic tape shield by the action of said radially contracting means. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said radially contracting and circumferential elongating means includes a clamping member circumjacent to said electrical contact means at least at the axial location of said conductive band and includes adjustable means for constricting said clamping member relative to the outer periphery of said metallic tape shield when said contact means is disposed on said cable as hereinaforesaid. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of claim 15 further including a housing member of elastomeric material, said housing member having a pair of oppositely disposed end portions and a central portion, the central portion of said housing being adapted to surround said electrical contact means and said adjustable means while one end portion of said housing is adapted to resiliently engage the outer jacket of said cable in watertight sealing relationship and the other end portion of said housing is adapted to engage in watertight sealing relationship a corresponding surface of a shielded electrical connector or terminator connected to said cable. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said central portion of said elastomeric housing includes an exit aperture communicating with the interior thereof, said grounding conductor means extending through and beyond said exit aperture, said exit aperture resiliently engaging said grounding conductor means in watertight sealing relationship therewith when said housing is located on said cable with its central portion surrounding said electrical contact means and said adjustable means. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said housing comprises conductive material and is capable of establishing effective electrical contact between said outer jacket of said cable and said corresponding surface of said shielded electrical connector or terminator when said housing is located on said cable with its central portion surrounding said electrical contact means and said adjustable means. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of claim 11 further including an elastomeric sleeve disposed between said electrical contact means and said adjustable means at least at the axial location of said band. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said elastomeric sleeve comprises conductive material. 
     
     
       21. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said elastomeric sleeve includes a pair of oppositely disposed end portions extending axially beyond said conductive band respectively, one of said end portions being adapted to resiliently engage and grip the outer jacket of said cable in watertight sealing relationship and the other of said end portions being adapted to engage and grip the insulation of said cable in watertight sealing relationship and to engage the corresponding surface of a shielded electrical connector or terminator connected to said cable adjacent to said other end portion. 
     
     
       22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said elastomeric sleeve comprises conductive material and is capable of establishing effective electrical contact between said outer jacket of said cable and said corresponding surface of said shielded connector or terminator. 
     
     
       23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein one of said oppositely disposed end portions of said sleeve has an inside diameter less than the outside diameter of said outer jacket and the other of said oppositely disposed end portions of said sleeve has an inside diameter less than the outside diameter of said insulation, said corresponding surface of said shielded electrical connector or terminator being defined by an axial bore being disposed in at least one end thereof, the diameter of said axial bore being less than the outside diameter of the other of said oppositely disposed end portions of said sleeve whereby said corresponding surface is resiliently dilatable for telescopic engagement with said other oppositely disposed end portion of said sleeve. 
     
     
       24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said outer jacket, said elastomeric sleeve, and said corresponding surface each comprise conductive material and said elastomeric sleeve serves as an adaptor between said shielded connector or terminator and said outer jacket by establishing effective electrical continuity between the outer jacket of said cable and the corresponding surface of said shielded connector or terminator. 
     
     
       25. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said elastomeric sleeve further includes an exit collar situated between said end portions, said other end of said grounding conductor means extending through and beyond said exit collar, said exit collar resiliently engaging said grounding conductor means in watertight sealing relationship. 
     
     
       26. Apparatus for use in connection with a shielded high voltage power cable of the type having an inner conductor, insulation surrounding the conductor, a shielding system including a metallic tape shield surrounding the insulation, and an outer jacket surrounding the metallic tape shield, said apparatus comprising: electrical contact means including a band of conductive material adapted to surround said metallic tape shield along at least a portion of the circumferential extent of the metallic tape shield's outer periphery when a portion of said outer jacket has been removed to expose said metallic tape shield, said electrical contact means having means for enabling resilient flexure of at least a portion of said band in a radial direction relative to the outer periphery of said metallic tape shield when said contact means is disposed on said cable in position to circumferentially surround at least a portion of the metallic tape shield's outer periphery;   adjustable means surrounding said electrical contact means for selectively applying a force to said electrical contact means whereby said at least portion of said band is adapted to be readily displaced into effective electrical contact with the outer periphery of said metallic tape shield by the action of said adjustable means, and;   grounding conductor means being electrically connected to said conductive band and extending radially outwardly beyond said force applying means;   wherein said flexure means includes a plurality of axially extending undulations disposed in said conductive band, said undulations defining a plurality of contact peaks adapted to engage said metallic tape shield and a plurality of alternately disposed grooved portions having their apexes radially displaced from said metallic tape shield whereby said at least portion of said conductive band comprises at least one of said groove portions and said band includes at least one other portion comprising at least one of said contact peaks.   
     
     
       27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said adjustable means comprises a clamping member circumjacent said electrical contact means at least at the axial location of said conductive band and includes means for constricting said clamping member relative to the outer periphery of said metallic tape shield whereby said at least one of said contact peaks is capable of being maintained in effective electrical contact with said metallic tape shield by the action of said adjustable means. 
     
     
       28. The apparatus of claim 27 further including an elastomeric sleeve surrounding said electrical contact means and being disposed between said conductive band and said clamping member at said at least axial location of said band. 
     
     
       29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said elastomeric sleeve comprises conductive material. 
     
     
       30. Apparatus for use in connection with a shielded high voltage power cable of the type having an inner conductor, insulation surrounding the conductor, a shielding system including a metallic tape shield surrounding the insulation, and an outer jacket surrounding the metallic tape shield, said apparatus comprising: electrical contact means including a band of conductive material adapted to surround said metallic tape shield along at least a portion of the circumferential extent of the metallic tape shield's outer periphery when a portion of said outer jacket has been removed to expose said metallic tape shield, said electrical contact means having means for enabling resilient flexure of at least a portion of said band in a radial direction relative to the outer periphery of said metallic tape shield when said contact means is disposed on said cable in position to circumferentially surround at least a portion of the metallic tape shield's outer periphery;   adjustable means surrounding said electrical contact means for selectively applying a force to said electrical contact means whereby said at least portion of said band is adapted to be radially displaced into effective electrical contact with the outer periphery of said metallic tape shield by the action of said adjustable means, and;   grounding conductor means having a pair of remotely disposed ends, one of said ends being electrically connected to said conductive band and the other of said ends extending radially outwardly beyond said force applying means;   wherein said flexure means includes at least one axially extending undulation disposed in said conductive band, said undulation defining a grooved portion radially disposed from said metallic tape shield when said contact means is disposed on said cable as hereinaforesaid, said one end of said grounding conductor means being disposed in effective electrical contact with said band in the region of said grooved portion whereby the action of said adjustable means causes flexure of said grooved portion and displacement of said at least portion of said band in a radial direction relative to said metallic tape shield thereby bringing one end of said grounding conductor means into effective electrical contact with said metallic tape shield.   
     
     
       31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said one end of said grounding conductor means is connected to said conductive band within said grooved portion and is adapted to be maintained in contact with said metallic tape shield by the action of said adjustable means. 
     
     
       32. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said adjustable means comprises a clamping member circumjacent to said electrical contact means at least at the axial location of said conductive band and includes means for constricting said clamping member relative to the outer periphery of said metallic tape shield whereby said at least portion of said band is capable of being maintained in effective electrical contact with said metallic tape shield upon flexure of said grooved portion by the action of said constricting means. 
     
     
       33. The apparatus of claim 30 further including an elastomeric sleeve surrounding said electrical contact means and being disposed between said conductive band and said adjustable means at least at the axial location of said band. 
     
     
       34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said elastomeric sleeve comprises conductive material. 
     
     
       35. For use in connection with a shielded high voltage power cable of the type having an inner conductor, insulation surrounding the conductor, a shielding system including a metallic tape shield surrounding the insulation, and an outer jacket surrounding the metallic tape shield, apparatus comprising: an elastomeric sleeve, said sleeve being adapted to be disposed on said cable in position to enclose a bared portion of said metallic tape shield, said sleeve having at least one end portion adapted to resiliently engage in watertight sealing relation the jacket of said cable, said sleeve further having an internal diameter substantially greater than the outside diameter of said metallic tape shield;   an electric contact member disposed within said sleeve and adapted to resiliently engage the outer periphery of said bared portion of said metallic tape shield when said sleeve is disposed about said cable in position to enclose said bared portion of said metallic tape shield;   a ground conductor electrically connected to said contact member within said sleeve, said sleeve including an aperture therein, said ground conductor extending through said aperture and beyond said sleeve, and;   a clamping member, said clamping member being adapted to maintain said contact member in resilient engagement with said metallic tape shield when said elastomeric sleeve is disposed on said cable as hereinaforesaid.   
     
     
       36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said aperture in said sleeve resiliently engages in watertight sealing relation said ground conductor. 
     
     
       37. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said elastomeric sleeve includes another end portion oppositely disposed with respect to said one end portion, said another end portion being adapted to engage in watertight sealing relation the insulation on said cable when said sleeve is disposed on said cable in position to surround said bared portion of said metallic tape shield. 
     
     
       38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said sleeve comprises conductive material. 
     
     
       39. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said elastomeric sleeve comprises a housing and includes another end portion oppositely disposed with respect to said one end portion, said another end portion being adapted to engage in watertight sealing relation a corresponding portion of a shielded electrical connector or terminator connected to said cable when said sleeve is disposed on said cable in position to enclose said bared portion of said metallic tape shield. 
     
     
       40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said sleeve comprises conductive material. 
     
     
       41. The apparatus of claim 39 further including a second elastomeric sleeve disposed within said housing and circumferentially extending about at least said contact member, said clamping member being disposed within said housing and circumferentially engaging said second elastomeric sleeve at least at the axial location of said contact member. 
     
     
       42. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said clamping member circumferentially engages said elastomeric sleeve at least at the axial location of said contact member. 
     
     
       43. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said contact member comprises a conductive band having a series of axially extending corrugations therein, said band extending circumferentially with respect to at least a portion of the interior surface of said elastomeric sleeve, said corrugations defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart contact peaks adapted to be resiliently engageable with said metallic tape shield when said sleeve is disposed on said cable as hereinaforesaid. 
     
     
       44. Apparatus for use in connection with a shielded high voltage power cable of the type having an inner conductor, insulation surrounding the conductor, a shielding system including a metallic tape shield surrounding the insulation, and an outer jacket surrounding the metallic tape shield, said apparatus comprising: electrical contact means including a band of conductive material adapted to engage said metallic tape shield along at least a portion of the circumferential extent of the metallic tape shield's outer periphery when a portion of said outer jacket has been removed to expose said metallic tape shield;   adjustable means surrounding said electrical contact means for selectively applying a force to said electrical contact means such that at least a portion of said band is adapted to be maintained in effective electrical contact with the outer periphery of said metallic tape shield by the action of said adjustable means;   said electrical contact means having means for enabling resilient flexure of at least a portion of said band relative to the outer periphery of said metallic tape shield, and the adjustable means when said contact means is disposed on said cable in position to circumferentially engage at least a portion of the metallic tape shield's outer periphery and said means for selectively applying a force has been sufficiently adjusted to maintain said at least portion of said band in effective electrical contact with said metallic tape shield, and;   grounding conductor means being electrically connected to said conductive band and extending radially outwardly beyond said adjustable force applying means whereby said grounding conductor means and said at least portion of said band are adapted to be maintained in effective electrical contact with said metallic tape shield.   
     
     
       45. For use in connection with a shielded high-voltage power cable of the type having an inner conductor, insulation surrounding the conductor, a shielding system including a metallic tape shield surrounding the insulation and an outer jacket surrounding the metallic tape shield, apparatus comprising: an elastomeric sleeve, said sleeve being adapted to be disposed on said cable in position to enclose at least a bared portion of said metallic tape shield, said sleeve having one end portion adapted to resiliently engage in watertight sealing relation the jacket on said cable and having another end portion adapted to engage in watertight sealing relation insulation on said cable or a corresponding surface of a shielded electrical connector or terminator connected to said cable, said sleeve having an aperture disposed in the wall thereof between said end portions,   an electric contact member disposed within said sleeve for engaging said bared portion of said metallic tape shield when said sleeve is disposed on said cable in position to enclose said bared portion of said metallic tape shield.Iadd., said member including means for enabling resilient flexure of at least a portion of said member in both a radial and a circumferential direction relative to the outer periphery of said metallic tape shield.Iaddend.; and   a ground conductor electrically connected to said contact member within said sleeve and extending through said aperture in said sleeve and beyond said sleeve.   
     
     
       46. The apparatus of claim 45 wherein said elastomeric sleeve comprises conductive material. 
     
     
       47. The apparatus of claim 45 wherein said aperture in said sleeve resiliently engages said ground conductor.