CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/340,632, filed May 24, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The application relates to oxide inhibitor compound, and in particular, delivery methods for oxide inhibitor compound to electrical connectors.

SUMMARY

[0003] Oxide inhibitor is a corrosion inhibiting chemical compound that is added to a liquid or a gas to decrease corrosion of a material, such as a metal or alloy, due to oxygen. This is typically done by forming a coating, or passivation layer, on the material that prevents access of the corrosive substance (e.g., air or water) to the coated material, thereby preventing oxidation. Oxide inhibitor is often used in conjunction with electrical connectors to prevent oxidation at an electrical connection by sealing out air and moisture. Electrical resistance through the electrical connection is kept low and service life of the electrical connector is improved by preventing oxidation. In such cases, in which the oxide inhibitor is used with electrical connectors, the oxide inhibitor is typically conductive to promote electrical communication through the electrical connection.

[0004] The oxide inhibitor is either pre-appiied to the electrical connector, or is applied in the field using a bottle or caulking gun tube. Often an excessive amount of inhibitor is applied to the electrical connector to ensure a thorough coating. This results in excess oxide inhibitor being wasted by being spilled out of the electrical connector when a conductor is inserted, or when one or more crimps are made in the electrical connector. This can be messy, wasteful, and may be a potential disposal concern. Although oxide inhibitor may be pre-applied relatively consistently to an electrical connector during a manufacturing process, there still may be undesirable variation in the quantity of oxide inhibitor applied. This variation is even greater when the oxide inhibitor is applied in the field, resulting in too little or too much of the oxide inhibitor being applied to the electrical connector during installation.

[0005] In one embodiment, the application provides an electrical connector assembly. The electrical connector assembly includes an electrical connector having a conductor receiving portion. The conductor receiving portion defines a cavity. The electrical connector assembly further includes a capsule positioned within the cavity of the conductor receiving portion. The capsule contains oxide inhibitor. The capsule is configured to release the oxide inhibitor into the cavity of the conductor receiving portion.

[0006] In another embodiment, the application provides an oxide inhibitor capsule. The oxide inhibitor capsule includes an outer capsule wall, and a cavity defined by the outer capsule wall. The oxide inhibitor capsule further includes an oxide inhibitor contained within the cavity. The outer capsule wall is configured to release the oxide inhibitor, the oxide inhibitor being configured to inhibit oxidation of a metal or alloy.

[0007] In yet another embodiment the application provides a method of delivering corrosion inhibitor to an electrical connector. The method includes positioning an oxide inhibitor capsule containing oxide inhibitor within a conductor receiving portion of the electrical connector. The method further includes inserting a conductor into the conductor receiving portion of the electrical connector. The method further includes rupturing the oxide inhibitor capsule, in which rapturing the oxide inhibitor capsule releases the oxide inhibitor between the conductor and the electrical connector. .

[0008] Other aspects of the application will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an oxide inhibitor capsule according to some embodiments.

[0010] FIG, 2 is a cross-sectional view of the oxide inhibitor capsule of FIG, 1 through line 2— 2 in FIG, 1 according to some embodiments. [0011] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the oxide inhibitor capsule of FIG. 1 through line 3— 3 in FIG. 1 according to some embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an electrical connector and a conductor, illustrating an oxide inhibitor capsule received within a barrel portion of the electrical connector, and a conductor according to some embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector and the conductor of FIG. 4, illustrating the conductor received in the barrel portion of the electrical connector and the oxide inhibitor capsule ruptured inside the barrel portion according to some embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector and the conductor of FIG. 4, illustrating the barrel portion of the electrical connector crimped to connect the electrical connector with the conductor according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Use of "including" and "comprising" and variations thereof as used herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Use of "consisting of and variations thereof as used herein is meant to encompass only the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," "supported," and "coupled" and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings.

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a corrosion or oxide inhibitor capsule 10 having a capsule shell or outer capsule wail 14 forming an elongated pill shape having a longitudinal axis A according to some embodiments. The outer capsule wall 14 defines an interior cavity 18 containing a predetermined amount of oxidation inhibitor or oxide inhibitor 50 (FIGS, 2-3).

[0017] With reference to FIG. 2, the oxide inhibitor capsule 10 has opposing ends 22 that the longitudinal axis A extends between. A length 26 of the capsule 10 is defined between the opposing ends 22 along the longitudinal axis A. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the ends 22 forms a hemisphere.

[0018] With reference to FIG. 3, the capsule 10 has a circular cross-section transverse to the longitudinal axis A of the capsule 10. The capsule 10 has an outer dimension 30 transverse to the longitudinal axis A. In some embodiments, the outer dimension 30 is an outer diameter of the capsule 10. The outer dimension 30 may be uniform along at least a portion of the length of the capsule 10 or only at a one point along the length of the capsule 10.

[0019] The outer capsule wall 14 is formed from a thin membrane that may be deliberately punctured or ruptured to release the oxide inhibitor 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer capsule wall 14 is a single-piece integral enclosure. In some embodiments, the outer capsule wall 14 is formed from two halves that are fitted together. In such embodiments, one half is a lower-diameter body and the other half is a higher-diameter cap that fits over the lower diameter body to form the interior cavity 18. In other embodiments, the outer capsule wall 14 is formed from any number of portions that are coupled together to define the interior cavity 18. In some embodiments, the outer capsule wall 14 is made from a highly conductive material. In some embodiments, the outer capsule wall 14 is made to dissolve or disintegrate after being ruptured. In some embodiments, the outer capsule wall 14 may include oxide inhibitor compound itself, so once ruptured, inhibits or prevents oxidation in conjunction with the enclosed oxide inhibitor 50. In some embodiments, the outer capsule wall 14 is made from gelatin or another suitable material.

[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, the oxide inhibitor 50 is a liquid that includes a compound for inhibiting or preventing oxidation. In some embodiments, the compound is for inhibiting or preventing oxidation in a specific material (e.g., aluminum or copper) or pair of materials (e.g., aluminum to aluminum connections, or copper to aluminum connections). In some embodiments, the oxide inhibitor 50 is a liquid, such as oil or grease, having a low viscosity conducive to flowing into small crevices and across broad surfaces to provide a thorough coat. In some embodiments, the oxide inhibitor 50 includes one or more elements so as to act as a lubricant or anti-seizing compound. Although described in terms of oxidation, in other embodiments, the oxide inhibitor compound of the oxide inhibitor 50 may be substituted with another type of corrosion inhibiting compound. In such embodiments, the corrosion inhibiting compound may inhibit or prevent corrosion caused by at least one particular chemical reacting with at least one particular material.

[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates an electrical connector 60 having a conductor receiving portion or barrel portion 64 and a flat portion 68. The barrel portion 64 defines a conductor receiving cavity or barrel cavity 72 extending along a longitudinal axis B of the barrel portion 64 for receiving a conductor 90 (e.g., a wire). The barrel portion 64 further defines an opening 74 at a distal end 76 of the barrel portion 64 extending into the barrel cavity 72. The barrel cavity 72 has a length 80 along the longitudinal axis B of the barrel portion 64 of the electrical connector 60. The barrel cavity 72 has an inner dimension 84 transverse to the longitudinal axis B. In some embodiments, the barrel portion 64 is substantially cylindrical such that the barrel cavity 72 has a circular cross-section and the inner dimension 84 is an inner diameter of the barrel cavity 72. In other embodiments, each of the barrel portion 64 and the barrel cavity 72 may have another cross-sectional shape, such as a rectangular cross-section. Although illustrated and described as a barrel shaped compression connector, the electrical connector 60 shown is merely exemplary. In other embodiments, the electrical connector 60 may be any suitable type of electrical connector with various different shapes and dimensions. Although the conductor 90 is illustrated as a wire, in other embodiments, the conductor 90 may be a second electrical connector configured to electrically connect with the first electrical connector 60.

[0022] With continued reference to FIG. 4, when connecting the conductor 90 with the electrical connector 60, it is desirable to apply oxide inhibitor between the conductor 90 and the electrical connector 60. Accordingly, an oxide inhibitor capsule 10 is selected from a plurality of oxide inhibitor capsules. The plurality of oxide inhibitor capsules may each have various different dimensions and qualities. The oxide inhibitor capsule 10 may be selected according to a dimension of the capsule 10, such as the length 80 and the outer dimension 30, and/or a dimension of the electrical connector 60, such as the length 80 and the inner dimension 84 of the barrel cavity 72 of the barrel portion 64. For example, the oxide inhibitor capsule 10 may be selected so the length 26 is approximately equal to or less than the length 80 of the barrel portion 64, and/or so the outer dimension 30 of the oxide inhibitor capsule 10 is approximately equal to or less than the inner dimension 84 of the barrel cavity 72, The oxide inhibitor capsule 10, and in particular, the oxide inhibitor compound of the capsule 0, may be selected based on the material of one or both of the electrical connector 60 and the conductor 90. The oxide inhibitor capsule 10 may also be selected based on a desired quantity of oxide inhibitor 50 contained within the interior cavity 18 of the capsule 10. The desired quantity of oxide inhibitor 50 contained within the capsule 10 may be driven by a predetermined quantity of oxide inhibitor 50 required for a specific electrical connector.

[0023] Once the oxide inhibitor capsule 10 is selected, the oxide inhibitor capsule 10 is axially inserted through the opening 74 into the barrel cavity 72 of the barrel portion 64 along the longitudinal axis B to position the oxide inhibitor capsule 10 within the barrel cavity 72, as shown in FIG. 4. If the outer dimension 30 of the capsule 10 is approximately equal to or slightly greater than the inner dimension 84 of the barrel cavity 72, the capsule 10 may be retained within the barrel cavity 72 via a pressure fit. Alternatively, the capsule 10 may be retained within the barrel cavity 72 by another suitable method (e.g., adhesive).

[0024] After inserting the inhibitor capsule 10 into the barrel cavity 72, an end 94 of the conductor 90 may be axially inserted into the barrel cavity 72 through the opening 76, as shown in FIG. 5. As the conductor 90 is inserted into the barrel cavity 72 the outer capsule wall 14 of the capsule 10 is ruptured by being punctured or compressed by the conductor 90 within the barrel cavity 72. The oxide inhibitor 50 is released so as to coat the barrel cavity 72 and the conductor 90, thereby providing a layer or coating between the electrical connector 60 and the conductor 90. This layer promotes electrical communication between the electrical connector 60 and the conductor 90 by inhibiting and reducing oxidation of the electrical connector 60 and the conductor 90 where they make contact. This is because oxidation can act as an insulator, thereby increasing electrical resistance between the electrical connector 60 and the conductor 90, and by reducing oxidation an increase in the electrical resistance is also reduced. In some embodiments, the oxide inhibitor 50 may also be conductive so as to further promote electrical conductivity between the electrical connector 60 and the conductor 90. [0025] The barrel portion 64 may then be crimped one or more times to securely connect the electrical connector 60 and the conductor 90, as best shown in FIG. 6. In some embodiments, the capsule 10 and/or the barrel cavity are sized and dimensioned such that the capsule 10 only ruptures once crimping is performed on the barrel portion 64 of the electrical connector 60 to connect the electrical connector 60 and the conductor 90. In some embodiments, the electrical connector 60 and the conductor 90 are secured together by another suitable connection type.

[0026] The capsule 10 may be inserted into the barrel cavity 72 of the barrel portion 64 during manufacture of the electrical connector 60. Accordingly, when the capsule 10 is inserted into the barrel cavity 72 during manufacture of the electrical connector 60, the user does not need to insert the capsule 10 within the barrel cavity 72 in the field. In either case by providing a predetermined amount of the oxide inhibitor 50 within the capsule 10, a specific amount required for the electrical connector 60 may be provided with reduced variation and no manual error.

[0027] During manufacture of the capsule 10, the interior cavity 18 of the capsule 10 is filled with a specific predetermined quantity of oxide inhibitor 50. The interior cavity 18 may be entirely filled with oxide inhibitor 50. Alternatively, the interior cavity 18 may only be partially filled with oxide inhibitor 50. The interior cavity 18 may be entirely or partially filled with a specific predetermined quantity, such as a predetermined quantity required for a specific electrical connector.

[0028] Additionally the capsules may be organized and packaged according to different characteristics, such as size (e.g., length or diameter), type of inhibitor compound, and/or quantity of inhibitor compound. Alternatively, the capsules may be organized and packaged according to an electrical connector for which the capsules correspond, which may vary the above characteristics accordingly.

[0029] Although in the illustrated embodiment the capsule 10 has an elongated pill shape, the capsule 10 may be any shape suitable for a particular electrical connector. For example, the capsule 10 may be a sphere or an elongated spheroid. [0030] In general, the oxide inhibitor capsule includes an outer capsule wall defining a cavity containing oxide inhibitor. The outer capsule wall is dimensioned so as to be received within a barrel portion of an electrical connector.

[0031] Although aspects have been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects as described. Various features and advantages are set forth in the following claims.