Split Conductive Mid-Span Ground Clamp for Coaxial Cable Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mid-span grounding clamps for coaxial cables are prone to corrosion and environmental pollutant ingress, disrupting electrical continuity due to their design, which fails to effectively seal components and ensure adequate grounding.
Innovation Solution
A conductive mid-span grounding clamp with a split outer shell and elastomeric sleeve that compresses to form a seal around the coaxial cable, ensuring electrical contact and preventing pollutant ingress through a conductive bonding contact that extends radially to the outer conductor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional grounding clamp design is used, then electrical grounding connection is established, but environmental pollutants can enter the inner components and corrosion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the elastomeric sleeve is inserted inside the outer shell, and the conductive bonding contact is inserted inside the elastomeric sleeve. This nested arrangement creates multiple barriers that seal the components from environmental pollutants while maintaining electrical continuity through the conductive bonding contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric sleeve acts as a flexible sealing element that compresses against the outer shell and conductive bonding contact to form a pollutant barrier. This flexible shell approach allows the grounding clamp to seal effectively around the coaxial cable while protecting internal components from environmental contaminants.
2Reliability
If the clamp components are sealed to prevent corrosion, then electrical continuity is maintained, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding clamp is divided into separate functional components: an outer shell for structural support, an elastomeric sleeve for sealing, and a conductive bonding contact for electrical connection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively while being assembled together to form the complete grounding clamp.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer shell serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses the sealing elastomeric sleeve, and contributes to the overall grounding path. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby managing device complexity while achieving corrosion protection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the elastomeric sleeve is compressed to form a seal, then pollutant ingress is prevented, but adequate electrical contact must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive bonding contact serves as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the elastomeric sleeve compression and electrical contact requirements. It is compressed by the elastomeric sleeve to ensure sealing while its conductive tabs extend to maintain electrical continuity with the outer shell and coaxial cable outer conductor.
Solution Approach 2:
The grounding clamp utilizes composite material properties by combining the insulating and sealing characteristics of the elastomeric sleeve with the conductive properties of the bonding contact and outer shell. This composite approach allows the compressed elastomeric sleeve to form a seal while the conductive materials maintain electrical contact pathways.
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 solution provides reliable electrical grounding while preventing environmental contaminants from entering the cable, maintaining electrical continuity and protecting the coaxial cable from corrosion and interference.
Implementation Method 1
the elastomeric sleeve is compressed moving the conductive bonding contact into contact with an outer conductor of the prepared coaxial cable
Implementation Method 2
an elastomeric sleeve, having a split through a side thereof, the elastomeric sleeve sized for coaxial insertion within the outer shell
Implementation Method 3
a grounding path extends between the outer conductor of the coaxial cable through the at least one conductive tab of the conductive bonding contact to the outer shell
Data Source
AI summary
A grounding clamp comprising a separable body; an elastomeric sleeve, the sleeve having a coaxial cable receiving portion and a grounding cable receiving portion; a conductive contact, sized for insertion within the elastomeric sleeve, the conductive contact having a coaxial cable contact portion and a grounding cable contact portion; and at least one fastener wherein, when the separable body is joined together, the elastomeric sleeve is compressed facilitating grounding and sealing of a coaxial cable and a grounding cable securely received within the clamp. Furthermore, an associated method for maintaining ground continuity is also provided.