Electricity: conductors and insulators – Conduits – cables or conductors – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-06
2001-06-12
Reichard, Dean A. (Department: 2831)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Conduits, cables or conductors
Combined
C174S08800C, C174S08400S
Reexamination Certificate
active
06246002
ABSTRACT:
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
This application is not referenced in any microfiche appendix.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a high voltage wiring system for neon lights.
Luminous gaseous signs have been used for may years. While such signs can employ a variety of gases, the most popular and effective signs use neon gas and are referred to as “neon signs”. Neon signs are typically formed of glass tubing that is evacuated of substantially all of the air therein and refilled with neon gas. A conductive probe is inserted into each of the opposed ends of the tube. When high voltage energy is applied to the opposed ends of a neon filled tube, the neon gas is excited and produces visible electromagnetic radiation. The glass tubes can be of varying diameters and can easily be conformed to replicate letters, numbers and designs. The visible spectrum of light provided by excited neon gas is relatively bright and attractive; therefore the use of neon signs has become exceedingly popular in the United States and other countries of the world.
A serious problem that arises with the use of neon signs is the danger of fire and high voltage shock to workman who install or repair them. The typical neon sign transformer in the United States can be powered by standard household current, that is, 120V 60 Hz AC but the voltage typically supplied by the transformer and applied to neon signs is approximately 15,000V 60 Hz AC. This high voltage is dangerous to workman and any other living organism that may come in contact with the wiring for the neon sign. Further, this high voltage is also frequently the cause of building fires. Fifteen thousand volts AC readily arcs across adjacent conductors or from a conductor to a ground and such arcing can ignite combustible materials. The danger of fire as a consequence of this high voltage has become of such concern that many municipalities discourage the use of neon signs. In some cases, neon signs are being replaced by other types of signs that do not require high voltage electrical current.
Others have provided electrical fittings and wiring systems that are useful to supply high voltage electrical current, such as for connecting neon signs. For background information relating to other system, reference may be made to the following United States patents:
U.S. PAT. NO.
INVENTOR
TITLE
2,245,681
Kenigserg
Interchangeable Unit Luminous
Gaseous Sign
4,842,535
Velke, Sr. et al
Gas Tube Electrode Connector
5,166,477
Perin, Jr. et al
Cable and Termination For
High Voltage and High
Frequency Applications
5,214,243
Johnson
High-Temperature, Low-Noise
Coaxial Cable Assembly With
High Strength Reinforcement
Braid
5,439,386
Ellis et al
Quick Disconnect
Environmentally Sealed RF
Connector For Hardline
Coaxial Cable
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is concerned with a wiring system, including cables and male, female and pass-through connectors for transferring high voltage electrical AC current from a high voltage power source to a neon sign. The typical high voltage transformer may, as and example, employ a primary activated by 120V 60 Hz AC as is commonly used in the United States for commercial establishments. The transformer concerts the 120V 60 Hz AC electrical energy into high voltage 60 Hz electrical energy typical in the range of approximately 15,000 volts. This disclosure provides a convenient and easily installed system for safely conducting high voltage to individual segments of a neon sign.
This invention is basically concerned with a wiring system for a neon light by which a high voltage AC current is transported from a two pole high voltage transformer to a neon light, one pole of the transformer being at ground potential and the other pole of the transformer being at a high AC voltage relative to ground. The system employs a flexible cable having in cross-section, (a) a central current carrying electrical conductor; (b) a symmetrical layer of insulation concentrically surrounding the central conductor; and (c) a symmetrical circumferential layer of shielding conductor surrounding the layer of insulation. The cable may also, optionally, have an outer layer of plastic or rubber insulation.
The system further includes at least one connector for connecting a length of the flexible cable to another piece of equipment, the connector providing a central electrical conductor in another piece of equipment and said shielding conductor of said cable to a shielding conductor of another piece of equipment whereby the symmetrical relationship of a central current carrying conductor within a symmetrical concentric shielding conductor is maintained in the cable system so that a concentric and substantially uniform electrostatic field is maintained throughout the cable system.
An important feature of the system is a method of passing high voltage wiring through a wall having an opening therethrough and an interior and exterior surface. A short length cylindrical pass-through body has a nominal external diameter less than that of the opening. The pass-through body has a first end and second end. Adjacent the first end of the pass-through body is an integral enlarged external diameter flange. A recess is formed in the pass-through body second end. A reduced external diameter integral tubular extension is provided at the pass-through body first end in axial communication with the recess. External threads are provided on the exterior of the pass-through body, the threads extending from the flange to the body second end. A coaxially insulated conductor is received within the tubular extension and within the recess to thereby extend through the pass-through body. A ground shield connection from the coaxial cable is centered within the recess formed within the body. The tubular extension of the body is then crimped (compressed) to make permanent contact with the ground shield connection and also to form strain relief for the completed cable system.
An externally threaded nut is threadably positioned on the pass-through body external threads. The flange engages one wall surface and the nut engages the other wall surface to retain the pass-through body within the opening and to ground the pass-through to the wall, thereby providing a safe and secure means of extending high voltage electrical energy through the wall, whether the wall be a portion of a sign, a portion of a building or an opening in a metal housing contain either a sign or high voltage transformer, while maintaining uniform field strengths and ground through out the total length of cable length.
The invention further includes a second apparatus for making a positive electrical connection with a mating male apparatus. This apparatus consists of a member of tubular conducting material that is externally threaded on both ends. The threading first end is of smaller diameter than the second flange end threading. An insulating flange tubular member is designed to fit within the tubular conducting member. The first end of this member is designed with an integral to flange that eliminates this member from passing through the conducting member.
A member of tubular conducting material is internally threaded on one end. This threaded area is designed to be threaded onto the smaller diameter threaded area of another tubular member of conduction material.
A first portion of a metallic electrical connector
12
is telescopically positioned within the tubular female insulating body and is connected to the conductor of a power cable. An internally threaded nut may be threaded onto the larger diameter threads to allow use as a pass-through. The exterior and interior surfaces of this apparatus are configured to removably interlock with the apparatus.
The second portion of this apparatus consists of a member of tubular conducting material that is externally threaded on one end and the opposing end has an larger diameter integral flange. An insulating flange tubular member is designed to fit within the tubular conducting member. The first end of this member is designed with and integral flange that e
Head Johnson & Kachigian
Mayo, III William H
Reichard Dean A.
Relight America, Inc.
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