ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND CONNECTOR SYSTEM USING THE SAME

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a mechanical and electrical connector (100) and to a connector system using the same. The connector (100) comprises an electrically conductive body (101) extending between two end faces (102, 103), first blind bores (104, 105) extending into the body (101) from each one of the two end faces (102, 103) and being adapted for receiving therein corresponding end portions of two conductors to be mechanically and electrically connected to each other, and one or more threaded bores (107, 108, 109, 110) extending through an outer wall (111) of the body (101) into each one of said first blind bores (104, 105). The connector (100) further comprises a second blind bore (112, 113) extending into the body from at least one of said two end faces (102, 103) and being adapted for receiving therein an end portion of a third conductor, in particular a grounding conductor, and one or more threaded bores (114, 115) extending through the outer wall (111) of the body (101) into said second blind bore (112, 113).

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present application relates to the field of mechanical and electrical connectors and connector systems using the same, in particular in multi-phase distribution systems.

Background of the invention

[0002] Mechanical and electrical connectors are typically used for mechanically and electrically connecting the conductors of two adjacent sections of multi-phase cables, a connector being provided for each pair of conductors to be connected with one another.

[0003] EP 0 819 222 B2 and GB 2 281 599 A disclose mechanical and electrical connectors comprising a body with blind bores extending from each end of the connector body and into which the ends of two conductors to be connected to one another are inserted. The conductors are fixed by threaded fasteners engaged in threaded bores provided in the wall of the connector body and extending into each blind bore. These documents further disclose that a threaded fastener can be provided in the form of a shear bolt, the head of which breaks off at a predetermined applied torque.

[0004] Some power cables are designed, for instance, with three phases plus neutral. When two such cables need to be joined, the neutral must be connected to the ground. Furthermore, it may be necessary to provide a watertight connection.

[0005] US 8 550 842 B1 discloses using a shear bolt mechanical and electrical connector for connecting pairs of corresponding primary conductors of two multi-phase electrical power transmission cables to be mechanically and electrically connected to each other, wherein the connection is sealed using a heat shrinkable tube.

[0006] US 2013/0295790 A1 discloses using a shear bolt mechanical and electrical connector for connecting a pair of conductors, wherein the connection is sealed using a cold shrink cover.

[0007] In both cases, individual cables comprise a primary conductor surrounded by a plurality of concentric neutral conductors. In such systems, the plurality of neutral conductors surrounding the primary conductor must be clamped together before being grounded, which makes the sealing process complex.

[0008] US 2010/0276196 A1 and US 2010/0279542 A1 disclose variants for sealing a connection using a cold shrink tube, wherein primary conductors are surrounded by a plurality of concentric neutral conductors that are twisted or braided so as to form neutral conductor bundles. In both cases, various overlapping covers must be used due to the complex arrangement of the twisted or braided neutral conductor bundles.

[0009] In any case, for some insulated conductors, connecting the neutral to the ground is achieved with insulation-piercing connectors and copper braids. The connection is then surrounded by a sealing resin.

[0010] However, for recent bolted connectors, when cold shrink accessories are used to seal the connection without resin technology, it has proven to be rather difficult to provide the sealing around the copper braids to ensure the watertight connection.

[0011] Furthermore, to connect a braid to the neutral connector, the diameter of the connectors must be increased, and/or protrusion shapes must be provided on the connectors in order to include tightening bolts.

[0012] It is, therefore, desirable to provide a connector system that facilitates the connection of the neutral conductors to the ground, while also preventing possible damages to cold shrinkable insulating sleeves used for sealing the junction between the cables.

Summary of the invention

[0013] The above-mentioned problem is solved by a connector according to claim 1. Optional features of the invention are described in the dependent claims and will also be explained hereafter.

[0014] The mechanical and electrical connector comprises an electrically conductive body extending between two end faces, first blind bores extending into the body from each one of the two end faces, and being adapted for receiving therein corresponding end portions of two conductors to be mechanically and electrically connected to each other, and one or more threaded bores extending through an outer wall of the body into each one of said first blind bores. According to the invention, the connector further comprises a second blind bore extending into the body from at least one of said two end faces and being adapted for receiving therein an end portion of a third conductor, in particular a grounding conductor, and one or more threaded bores extending through the outer wall of the body into said second blind bore.

[0015] Thus, a mechanical and electrical connector according to the invention not only allows mechanically and electrically connecting two conductors with each other. It also allows connecting them with at least one further conductor, which can be a grounding conductor, whereby the mechanical and electrical connector according to the invention advantageously provides a compact solution for grounding neutral conductors of two multi-phase cable bundles. The mechanical and electrical connector according to the invention is particularly advantageous when used with a circular, solid, and malleable grounding conductor received in said second blind bore, as this also facilitates insulation/sealing using cold shrink technologies with respect to known systems using braided grounding conductors, thereby providing a more reliable watertight connector system.

[0016] In some embodiments, said second blind bore can have a smaller diameter than said first blind bores. Thus, the second blind bore can be used, advantageously, for connecting a grounding conductor, which typically has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the two conductors received in the first blind bores. It is, therefore, possible to use a grounding conductor of the circular type, in particular, one that is also solid and malleable, thereby facilitating the use of cold shrink technologies in comparison with connectors used with braided grounding conductors.

[0017] In some embodiments, said one or more threaded bores extending into said second blind bore can also extend through an inner wall separating the first blind bores from each other. The invention can, therefore, provide a compact solution for grounding two conductors with the same connector.

[0018] In some embodiments, said one or more threaded bores extending into said second blind bore can have a smaller diameter than a diameter of said one or more threaded bores extending into said first blind bores. Thus, fastening means of different diameters can be used, in particular, in correspondence with conductors of different diameters.

[0019] In some embodiments, said second blind bore can be substantially parallel to at least one of the first blind bores. Thus, a compact connector can be provided.

[0020] In some embodiments, the connector can comprise a second blind bore on each one of said two end faces. Thus, two grounding conductors can be received in each second blind bore of the connector, thereby improving the grounding of two neutral conductors receiving in the first blind bores with respect to the solution where only one second blind bore is provided. Thus, in preferred embodiments, two circular, solid, and malleable grounding conductors can be used to ground two neutral conductors with the connector of the invention. This also facilitates insulation/sealing by cold shrink technologies, and providing an even more reliable connector system.

[0021] In some embodiments, when the connector comprises second blind bores on each one of said two end faces, a thickness of an inner wall of the body separating said first blind bores from each other and said second blind bores from each other can be smaller between the second blind bores than between the first blind bores. Thus, it is also possible to provide a compact connector when second blind bores are provided on each end face of the connector.

[0022] In some embodiments, when the connector comprises second blind bores on each one of said two end faces, said second blind bores can also be substantially aligned with each other, in particular along a same longitudinal direction of the body. Thus, a compact connector can be achieved.

[0023] In some embodiments, the connector can further comprise fastening means, in particular threaded fastening means, adapted for engaging the threaded bores so as to protrude into the blind bores. Thus, it is possible to fixedly secure conductors receiving the first and/or second blind bores.

[0024] In some embodiments, the fastening means can be shear bolts. Shear bolts can be preferred for securing conductors in the first blind bores. Thus, by applying a predetermined torque, conductors can be fixedly secured in the blind bores of the connector, and a shareable head of the fastening means can break so that no part of the fastening means protrudes from the connector body, whereby insulation/sealing using, for instance, cold shrinking sleeves can be facilitated.

[0025] In some embodiments, the fastening means can be screws with a hexagonal socket. Such screws can be preferred for securing conductors in the second blind bores. Thus, it is possible to tighten the fastening means using standard hex keys, in particular Allen keys. In some embodiments, at least some of the fastening means can comprise a conical end portion. Such fastening means are advantageous good electrical contact and mechanical resistance when a solid conductor is used.

[0026] The above-mentioned problem is also solved by a connector system according to claim 11. Further to the optional features of the connector, optional features of the system are also described in the dependent claims and will also be explained hereafter.

[0027] The connector system comprises a mechanical and electrical connector according to embodiments of the invention, two multi-phase cable bundles to be mechanically and electrically connected to each other, each multi-phase cable bundle comprising a respective neutral conductor, and a grounding conductor for grounding said first and second neutral conductors of the two multi-phase cable bundles, wherein each neutral conductor has an end portion thereof arranged in a corresponding one of the first blind bores of the connector, and wherein the grounding conductor has an end portion thereof arranged in said second blind bore.

[0028] Thus, it is possible to provide a compact connector system for mechanically and electrically connecting the respective neutral conductor of two multi-phase cable bundles and grounding the same. The connector system using the above-mentioned mechanical and electrical connector can easily be sealed using cold shrinking materials, in particular without increasing the diameter, and especially without creating any protrusion on the connector body.

[0029] In some embodiments, when the connector comprises second blind bores on each one of said two end faces, the connector system can further comprise a second grounding conductor, wherein each grounding conductor has an end portion thereof received in a corresponding one of the second blind bores. Thus, it is possible to provide a connector system with improved grounding of the two neutral conductors.

[0030] In some embodiments, fastening means can be engaged in each threaded bore so as to fix therein a respective end portion of a corresponding neutral or grounding conductor. Thus, it is possible to fixedly secure the neutral and grounding conductors in the respective first and second blind bores.

[0031] In some embodiments, said grounding conductor(s) can be a circular, solid, and malleable conductor, in particular a solid copper conductor, more in particular a soft annealed solid copper conductor. Thus, the invention provides a compact system, wherein the grounding of the neutral conductors can be achieved in a simpler manner than known systems using braided neutral and/or grounding conductors. When the system advantageously comprises a grounding conductor of the circular type, in particular, one that is also solid and malleable, the use of cold shrink technologies is also facilitated in comparison with connector systems using braided grounding conductors. The present invention can, therefore, provide a more reliable connector system, in particular a more reliable and watertight connector system.

List of Figures

[0032] The invention will be described more in detail hereafter, based on advantageous embodiments described in combination with the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1

illustrates an example of a connector according to embodiments of the present invention in a perspective view;

FIG. 2

illustrates a sectional view of the connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3

illustrates an example of a possible configuration of a connector according to embodiments of the present invention, including fastening means (not engaged in the threaded bores);

FIG. 4

illustrates an example of a connector according to embodiments of the present invention, with fastening means engaged in respective threaded bores;

FIG. 5

illustrates an example of a connector system according to embodiments of the invention, with end portions of conductors received in the first blind bores, in a perspective view;

FIG. 6

illustrates the connector system of FIG. 5 receiving a conductor in a second blind bore;

FIG.7

illustrates the connector system of FIGS. 5 and 6, with a conductor received and fixed in a second blind bore; and

FIG. 8

illustrates a sectional view of the connector system of FIG. 7.

Description of embodiments

[0033] Advantageous embodiments of a mechanical and electrical connector according to the invention will first be described with reference to FIGS. 1-4. Further embodiments illustrating a connector system using the mechanical and electrical connector for mechanically and electrically connecting neutral conductors of two multi-phase cable bundles and grounding the same will then be described with reference to FIGS. 5-8.

[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a mechanical and electrical connector 100 comprises an electrically conductive body 101, which extends between two opposing end faces 102, 103 thereof. The body 101 can, therefore, define a longitudinal direction corresponding to the direction along which it is elongated. The body 101 can be made of any suitable electrically conductive material. For instance, without being limited thereto, the body 101 can be made of a metal such as aluminum.

[0035] Furthermore, the elongated body 101 can be substantially cylindrical, as represented in FIG. 1, but the circular symmetry or substantially cylindrical shape of the body 101 should not be viewed as a limiting feature for the present invention. Other shapes than circular/cylindrical could be used. For instance, in some embodiments, the body 101 could be elongated but, instead of being circular, the cross-section of the end faces 102, 103 and the body 101 could be triangular, rectangular, square-shaped, or of any other suitable shape. However, a cylindrical shape, i.e. a circular symmetry, is preferred in some embodiments, which can be advantageous in order to present a smooth surface during cold shrinking of an insulating sleeve.

[0036] As further illustrated in FIG. 1, a first blind bore 104, 105 is provided at each one of the two end faces 102, 103 and extends into the body 101. In the body 101, an inner wall 106, visible in the sectional view illustrated in FIG. 2, can separate said first blind bores 104, 105. Each first blind bore 104, 105 is adapted for receiving therein and end portion of a corresponding electrical conductor, whereby the connector 100 can mechanically and electrically connect the two conductors, for instance, like in the embodiments of a connector system described with reference to FIGS. 5-8.

[0037] Furthermore, at least one threaded bore 107, 108, 109, 110 is provided in the outer wall 111 of the body 101 and extends into a respective one of the first blind bores 104, 105. It is sufficient to provide only one threaded bore for each blind bore 104, 105 for allowing fastening means to secure the end portion of a conductor in each one of said first blind bores 104, 105. In the advantageous embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1, two threaded bores 107, 108 are provided for first blind bore 104, and two threaded bores 109 are also provided for the other first blind bore 105, which allows additional fastening means to be used, thereby improving the retention of the end portion of a conductor in each one of said first blind bores 104, 105. However, the number of threaded bores does not necessarily have to be the same for both first blind bores 104, 105, as long as the body 101 is provided with at least one threaded bore for each one of the first blind bores 104, 105.

[0038] According to the invention, at least one of the two end faces 102, 103 of the connector 100 of the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1 is further provided with a second blind bore extending into the body 101, the second blind bore being distinct from the corresponding first blind bore 104, 105. In FIG. 1, a second blind bore 112, distinct from the first blind bore 104, is provided on end face 102 of the connector body 101. In other embodiments, second blind bores 112, 113 could be provided on both end faces 102, 103, or a second blind bore 113 could be provided only on the opposing end face 103, for instance, as illustrated in FIG. 3. In any case, the one or more second blind bores 112, 113 is(are) adapted for receiving therein and end portion of a corresponding conductor, preferably a grounding conductor, to be mechanically and electrically connected to the conductors received in the first blind bores 104, 105. Thus, when using the connector 100 for connecting the respective neutral conductor of two multi-phase cables, as described hereafter with reference to FIGS. 5-8, a second blind bore 112, 113 provided on either one or on both end faces 102, 103 of the body 101 advantageously allows grounding the pair of neutral conductors.

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 1, at least one threaded bore 114 is provided in the outer wall 111 of the body 101 and extends into the second blind bore 112, whereby fastening means can secure the end portion of a conductor received in the second blind bore 112. As also illustrated, in embodiments comprising second blind bores 112, 113 on both end faces 102, 103, at least one respective threaded bore 114, 115 can be provided in the outer wall 111 of the body 101. Depending on the configuration of the connector 100, in particular depending on the length of the body 101, more than one respective threaded bore 114, 115 could be provided for a given second blind bore 112, 113.

[0040] FIG. 2 represents the connector 100 of the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1 in a similar perspective view but cut along the plane A-A. It can be appreciated that the threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110 extending through the outer wall 111 of the body 101 reach a respective first blind bore 104, 105. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiments, it can also be appreciated that the threaded bores 114, 115 reach into a respective second blind bore 112, 113.

[0041] Furthermore, in preferred embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the one or two second blind bores 112, 113 can be longer than a respective first blind bore 104, 105. In other words, the inner wall 106 can be thicker between the first blind bores 104, 105 and thinner between the second blind bores 112, 113. Thus, in some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a threaded bore 114, 115 for securing a conductor in a given second blind bore 112, 113 can extend through the inner wall 106, for instance between the first blind bores 104, 105. This is, however, not limiting for the present invention. For instance, the one or more threaded bores 114, 115 for securing a conductor in a given second blind bore 112, 113 could also be provided at positions of the body 101 diametrically opposed to what is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, i.e. not necessarily through the inner wall 106 between the first blind bores 104, 105, but so as to extend directly through the wall 111 and into the respective second blind bore 112, 113 without passing between the first blind bores 104, 105.

[0042] In some embodiments, the first blind bores 104, 105 can extend along the longitudinal direction of the body 101, preferably parallel to a main axis of the body 101. Thus, when the body 101 is cylindrical, as illustrated, in particular, in FIG. 2, an axis along which the first blind bores 104, 105 extend into the body 101 can be substantially parallel but offset with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the body 101. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the first blind bores 104, 105 can even be aligned with each other.

[0043] In some embodiments, the second blind bore 112, 113 can extend in the body 101 substantially parallel to a respective first blind bore 104, 105. In some embodiments, when second blind bores 112, 113 are provided on both end faces 102, 103, the second blind bores 112, 113 can be aligned with each other. For instance, as illustrated, in particular, in FIG. 2, the one or two second blind bores 112, 113 can also be substantially parallel but offset with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the body 101 and to an axis of at least one of the first blind bores 104, 105. Thus, a compact connector 100 can be achieved.

[0044] The threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110 allowing fastening means to secure two conductors in a respective first blind bore 104, 105 do not necessarily have to be aligned like in the illustrated embodiments. In some embodiments, the threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110 could be offset circumferentially on the body 101 with respect to one another, and/or with respect to the threaded bores 114, 115. In some embodiments, at least some of the threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110 and at least some of the threaded bores 114, 115 could even be aligned.

[0045] Similarly, in embodiments comprising second blind bores 112, 113 on both end faces 102, 103 of the body 101, the threaded bores 114, 115 allowing fastening means to secure another conductor in a second blind bore 112, 113 also do not necessarily have to be aligned. In some embodiments, the threaded bores 114, 115 could be offset circumferentially on the body 101 with respect to one another, and/or with respect to the threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110.

[0046] Without being limited to the following dimensions, a compact connector 100 could be achieved with the following exemplary dimension: the first blind bores 104, 105 could have a diameter of between about 10 mm and about 15 mm, preferably about 13.2 mm; the one or two second blind bores 112, 113 could have a smaller diameter of between about 5 mm and about 7 mm, preferably about 6.3 mm; whereby a compact connector 100 having an overall diameter of between about 22 mm and about 30 mm, preferably about 27 mm, could be achieved. The diameter of the threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110 and 114, 115 could then be substantially adapted to be close to that of the corresponding blind bores 104, 105 and 112, 113 and/or to a preferred standard diameter when a standard screw is used.

[0047] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the mechanical and electrical connector 100 can be provided with fastening means 116, 117, 118, 119 for securing conductors in the first blind bores 104, 105, and with fastening means 124 and/or 125 for securing a conductor in at least one second blind bore 112 or 113, or in both second blind bores 112, 113, as the case may be. Preferably, the fastening means 116, 117, 118, 119 and/or the fastening means 124, 125 can be threaded fastening means adapted for engaging a respective threaded bore 107, 108, 109, 110 and/or a respective threaded bore 114, 115. FIG. 3 illustrates embodiments of the connector 100 with fastening means 116, 117, 118, 119 and 124, 125 facing but not inserted in a respective threaded bore 107, 108, 109, 110 and 114, 115. In turn, FIG. 4 illustrates embodiments of the connector 100 with fastening means 116, 117, 119, 119 and 124,125 partially inserted in a respective threaded bore 107, 108, 109, 110 and 114, 115.

[0048] In some embodiments, the same type of fastening means could be used for all threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110 and 114, 115. In some embodiments, however, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, it could be preferable to use different types of fastening means for a respective type of threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110 or 114, 115. For instance, the choice of a respective fastening means could depend on the diameter of the threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110 and 114, 115 which, in turn, could depend on the diameter of the type of conductor to be secured in the first blind bores 104, 105 and/or in a second blind bore 112, 113, respectively.

[0049] For instance, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the fastening means 116, 117, 118, 119 used for securing a conductor in each one of the first blind bores 104, 105, which are typically adapted for receiving therein neutral conductors of multi-phase distribution systems, could be shear bolts, i.e. bolts comprising a respective shareable head 120, 121, 122, 123, which would break upon application of a predetermined torque.

[0050] In turn, as also illustrated, the fastening means 124, 125 used for securing a conductor in at least one of the second blind bores 112, 113, which are adapted for receiving therein a grounding conductor which can be of smaller diameter than the neutral conductors received in the first blind bores 104, 105, could be screws or the like. Thus, the one or two second blind bores 112, 113 could have a smaller diameter than the diameter of the first blind bores 104, 105. Accordingly, the threaded bores 114, 115 could also have a smaller diameter than the threaded bores 107, 108, 109, 110. Depending on the diameter, it would even be possible to use standard screws as the fastening means 124, 125. This would avoid using specifically designed shear bolts. In some embodiments, as also illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the fastening means 124, 125 could be screws comprising a head having a standard hexagonal socket 128, 129, whereby hexagonal keys, for instance standard Allen keys, could be used.

[0051] In some embodiments, the fastening means 124, 125 could be provided with a conical end portion 126, 127, as illustrated in FIG. 3, which may be advantageous for providing a good electrical contact and a good mechanical resistance when a solid conductor is received in one or both of the second blind bores 112, 113.

[0052] Next, the use of a mechanical and electrical connector according to the invention in a connector system 200 for mechanically and electrically connecting neutral conductors 201, 202 of two multi-phase cable bundles and grounding the same will be described with reference to FIGS. 5-8. For the sake of simplicity, the connector 100 described with reference to FIGS. 1-4 will be used in the following embodiments, but the skilled reader will appreciate that any variant of the connector 100 could be used in further embodiments of the connector system 200.

[0053] In the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 5-8, the connector system 200 uses the mechanical and electrical connector 100 described with reference to FIGS. 1-4 in order to mechanically and electrically connect the neutral conductor 201 of a first multi-phase cable bundle to the neutral conductor 202 of a second multi-phase cable bundle, and to connect said neutral conductors 201, 202 to the ground by means of one or two grounding conductor(s) 205 also received in the connector 100. The respective connections of the other (non-neutral) conductors of the two multi-phase cable bundles are not illustrated, as they can be realized using well-known mechanical and electrical connectors.

[0054] FIG. 5 illustrates the connector system 200 in a state where the end portion 203 of the neutral conductor 201 of one of the multi-phase cable bundles is received in the first blind bore 104 provided at the end face 102 of the connector 100 and secured therein by the fastening means 116, 117. Similarly, the end portion 204 of the neutral conductor 202 of the other multi-phase cable bundle is received in the first blind bore 105 provided at the opposing end face 103 of the connector 100 and secured therein by the fastening means 118, 119. Thus, the neutral conductor 201 is mechanically and electrically connected to the neutral conductor 202.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiments, the fastening means 116, 117, 118, 119 can be shear bolts. Thus, as also illustrated in FIG. 5, upon application of a predetermined torque chosen so that the end portions 203, 204 are fixedly secured in a respective first blind bore 104, 105, the shareable heads 120, 121, 122, 123 break. Thus, the fastening means 116, 117, 118, 119 no longer protrude out of the body 101 of the connector 100, which is advantageous for insulation/sealing processes, for instance using cold shrinking materials.

[0056] In turn, FIG. 6 illustrates that the end portion 206 of a grounding conductor 205 can be inserted in a second blind bore 112 or 113 provided at least on one of the two opposing end faces 102, 103 of the connector 100. In the illustrated embodiments, the grounding conductor 205 is received in a second blind bore 112 provided at the end face 102. Its end portion 206 is, therefore, inserted therein along a direction D corresponding to a longitudinal direction of said second blind bore 112. In other embodiments, the grounding conductor 205 could be received on the other side of the connector 100, namely in a second blind bore 113 provided at the opposing end face 103.

[0057] Next, FIG. 7 illustrates a state in which the end portion 206 of the grounding conductor 205 is fixedly secured in the second blind bore 112 by the fastening means 124. Thus, the neutral conductors 201, 202 are mechanically and electrically connected to the grounding conductor 205. In other words, the neutral conductors 201, 202 are connected to the ground.

[0058] FIG. 8 represents the connector system 200 of the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 7 in a similar perspective view but cut along the plane B-B. A second blind bore 113 can also be seen extending from the opposing end face 103 of the connector 100, with a corresponding fastening means 125 fully screwed in threaded bore 115, with its end portion 127 in abutment against the opposing internal wall of the second blind bore 113.

[0059] As explained above, only one of the two second blind bores 112, 113 is necessary for grounding the neutral conductors 201, 202. In other words, in the illustrated embodiments, the second blind bore 113 and, therefore, the threaded bore 115 and the fastening means 125, are all optional.

[0060] However, in some embodiments, when second blind bores 112, 113 are provided on both opposing end faces 102, 103 of the connector 100, in order to provide an even better grounding of the neutral conductors 201, 202, a second grounding conductor (not illustrated) could also be received in the second blind bore 113 and maintained therein by the fastening means 125. In other words, it is possible to increase the safety of the system even more in a simple manner.

[0061] Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the first and second blind bores 104, 105, 112, 113, and therefore the respective conductors 201, 201, 205, can be physically separated from one another, whereby water migration between conductors can be avoided in case of infiltrations.

[0062] In the illustrated embodiments, the fastening means 124, 125 can be screws comprising a head having a standard hexagonal socket 128, 129. Thus, the fastening means 124, 125 can be screwed using, in particular, a standard hexagonal key. In any case, the fastening means 124, 125 can preferably be chosen with a standard size so that, once tightened, they no longer protrude out of the body 101 of the connector 100, which is advantageous for insulation/sealing processes, for instance using cold shrinking materials.

[0063] Furthermore, in the illustrated advantageous embodiments, the grounding conductor 205 can be a circular, solid conductor, i.e. not a braided-type grounding conductor. Advantageously, the grounding conductor 205 can also be a circular, solid, and malleable grounding conductor. This has the advantage, over known systems using braided grounding conductors, that insulation/sealing using cold shrink technologies is facilitated, which thereby ensures that a more reliable, watertight, connector system is provided. For instance, without being limited thereto, in some embodiments, the grounding conductor 205 could be a circular, solid copper conductor, in particular a soft annealed solid copper conductor. Without being limited to these dimensions, in some embodiments of the connector system 200, the neutral conductors 201, 202 could be 95 mm² neutral round solid aluminum conductors, and the grounding conductor 205 could be a 25 mm² round solid copper cable. Thus, sealing is facilitated and can be realized with mastic and/or cold shrinking sleeves or tubes. Furthermore, fastening means 124, 125 provided with a conical end portion 126, 127 as illustrated in FIG. 8 could then be advantageous to ensure a good mechanical and electrical contact with the end portion 206 of the grounding conductor 205.

[0064] Without being limited thereto, the mechanical and electrical connector and the connector system of the present invention can have advantageous applications for joining neutral conductors and connecting the same to the ground/earth in underground electrical junctions.

[0065] List of reference signs

100

connector

101

body

102, 103

end faces

104, 105

first blind bores

106

inner wall

107, 108, 109, 110

threaded bores

111

outer wall

112,113

second blind bores

114, 115

threaded bores

116, 117, 118, 119

shear bolt (fastening means)

120, 121, 122, 123

shear head

124, 125

screw (fastening means)

126, 127

conical end portion

128, 129

hexagonal socket

200

connector system

201, 202

neutral conductors

203, 204

end portions

205

grounding conductor

206

end portion

A-A, B-B

cross-section planes

D

direction

Claims

1. Mechanical and electrical connector (100) comprising:

an electrically conductive body (101) extending between two end faces (102, 103);

first blind bores (104, 105) extending into the body (101) from each one of the two end faces (102, 103) and being adapted for receiving therein corresponding end portions of two conductors to be mechanically and electrically connected to each other; and

one or more threaded bores (107, 108, 109, 110) extending through an outer wall (111) of the body (101) into each one of said first blind bores (104, 105);

characterized by further comprising

a second blind bore (112, 113) extending into the body from at least one of said two end faces (102, 103) and being adapted for receiving therein an end portion of a third conductor, in particular a grounding conductor; and

one or more threaded bores (114, 115) extending through the outer wall (111) of the body (101) into said second blind bore (112, 113).

2. Connector (100) according to claim 1, wherein said second blind bore (112, 113) has a smaller diameter than said first blind bores (104, 105).

3. Connector (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said one or more threaded bores (114, 115) extending into said second blind bore (112, 113) also extends through an inner wall (116) separating said first blind bores (104, 105).

4. Connector (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said one or more threaded bores (114, 115) extending into said second blind bore (112, 113) has a smaller diameter than a diameter of said one or more threaded bores (107, 108, 109, 110) extending into said first blind bores (104, 105).

5. Connector (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said second blind bore (112, 113) is substantially parallel to at least one of the first blind bores (104, 105).

6. Connector (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector (100) comprises a second blind bore (112, 113) on each one of said two end faces (102, 103).

7. Connector (100) according to claim 6, wherein a thickness of an inner wall (106) of the body (101) separating said first blind bores (104, 105) from each other and said second blind bores (112, 113) from each other is smaller between the second blind bores (112, 113) than between the first blind bores (104, 105).

8. Connector (100) according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein said second blind bores (112, 113) are substantially aligned with each other, in particular along a same longitudinal direction of the body (101).

9. Connector (100) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising fastening means (116, 117, 118, 119, 124, 125), in particular threaded fastening means, adapted for engaging the threaded bores (107, 108, 109, 110, 114, 115) so as to protrude into the blind bores (104, 105, 112, 113).

10. Connector (100) according to claim 9, wherein at least some of the fastening means (116, 117, 118, 119, 124, 125) are one of shear bolts, and screws, in particular screws having a hexagonal socket.

11. Connector (100) according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein at least some of the fastening means (116, 117, 118, 119, 124, 125) comprise a conical end portion (126, 127).

12. Connector system (200) comprising:

a mechanical and electrical connector (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11;

two multi-phase cable bundles to be mechanically and electrically connected to each other, each multi-phase cable bundle comprising a respective neutral conductor (201, 202); and

a grounding conductor (205) for grounding said first and second neutral conductors (201, 202) of the two multi-phase cable bundles;

wherein each neutral conductor (201, 202) has an end portion (203, 204) thereof arranged in a corresponding one of the first blind bores (104, 105) of the connector (100); and

wherein the grounding conductor (205) has an end portion (206) thereof arranged in said second blind bore (112, 113).

13. Connector system (200) according to claim 12, in a combination with one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising a second grounding conductor, and wherein each grounding conductor (205) has an end portion (206) thereof received in a corresponding one of the second blind bores (112, 113).

14. Connector (200) system according to claim 12 or claim 13, in a combination with one of claims 9 to 11, wherein fastening means (116, 117, 118, 119, 124, 125) are engaged in each threaded bore (107, 108, 109, 110, 112, 113) so as to fix therein a respective end portion (203, 204, 206) of a corresponding neutral or grounding conductor (201, 202, 205).

15. Connector system (200) according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein said grounding conductor(s) (205) is(are) a circular, solid, and malleable conductor, in particular a solid copper conductor, more in particular a soft annealed solid copper conductor.

Drawing