All-angle ground clamp with parallel electrical shunt
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Solution Overview
Problem
All-angle temporary ground clamps are not capable of withstanding fault currents at an ASTM Grade 5H level due to increased resistance from multiple connection points, which is a concern for high voltage and high current scenarios.
Innovation Solution
An all-angle ground clamp design featuring a rotatable clamp body with a terminal member and flexible electrical shunts that establish a parallel electric path, allowing full 360-degree rotation while reducing resistance through direct contact and a relief slot for secure mechanical connection, enabling the clamp to handle high fault currents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If all-angle temporary ground clamps use multiple components assembled with multiple degrees of freedom to provide flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but electrical resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple components (clamp body, terminal member, electrical shunt) into a unified assembly where the electrical shunt directly connects the clamping mechanism to the base portion, creating integrated low-resistance pathways that maintain flexibility while reducing overall resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical shunt acts as an intermediary element that bridges the clamping mechanism and the terminal member, providing a dedicated low-resistance electrical pathway that allows multiple degrees of freedom without increasing resistance
2Adaptability or versatility
If all-angle temporary ground clamps use multiple connection points to allow rotation, then adaptability is improved, but resistance increases preventing ASTM Grade 5H fault current withstand capability
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical shunt functions as a flexible electrical conductor that allows rotational movement between connection points while maintaining continuous, low-resistance electrical contact, enabling both rotation capability and fault current withstand capability
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp design incorporates dynamic elements including the rotatable clamp body and flexible electrical shunt that can accommodate movement and rotation while maintaining reliable electrical connection, allowing the system to adapt to different angles and positions without compromising fault current capability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design effectively reduces electrical resistance and maintains low resistance even under significant fault currents, ensuring reliable grounding for high voltage and high current applications.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical shunt having a first end connected to the clamping mechanism and a second end connected to the base portion for establishing a parallel electric path between the clamping mechanism and the base portion
Implementation Method 2
a relief slot positioned between the inner surfaces of the curved leg members to enable the connector, when actuated, to move the opposing surfaces of the ends towards each other to more firmly secure the inner surfaces of the curved leg members to the external surface of the stud member to reduce the electrical resistance
Data Source
AI summary
An all-angle ground clamp comprising a clamp body. There is a clamping mechanism affixed to an upper portion of the clamp body and which is removably attached to an electric conductor to be grounded. There is a terminal member having a mount portion releasably affixed to the base portion of the clamp body and a connector portion connected to an electrical ground conductor. The clamp body is rotatable relative to the terminal member about the mount portion is in a released position and is fixed relative to the terminal member when the mount portion is in a secured position. There is an electrical shunt having a first end connected to the clamping mechanism and a second end connected to the base portion of the clamp body for establishing a parallel electric path between the clamping mechanism and the base portion of the clamp body.