阅读说明：本技术 具有电源指示灯的电缆耦合器 (Cable coupler with power indicator light ) 是由 克劳迪奥·A·卡斯特罗 马丁·J·沃斯 雅维耶·J·卡斯特罗 贾伊隆·D·劳埃德 埃里克·A 于 2018-06-22 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明描述了用于提供接收在电耦合器中的一个或多个电导体和/或电端子处存在电压电势的指示的设备、系统和技术。电耦合器的示例包括照明耦合件,该照明耦合件包括前凸缘、后凸缘和照明通道,该照明通道在前凸缘和后凸缘之间延伸并且被配置成环绕电耦合器的一部分。至少部分地定位在照明通道内的多个照明设备被配置成在被照明时提供可见光发射,该可见光发射指示接收在电耦合器内的一个或多个电导体和/或电端子中的至少一个上存在电压电势。(Devices, systems, and techniques are described for providing an indication of the presence of a voltage potential received at one or more electrical conductors and/or terminals in an electrical coupler. Examples of an electrical coupler include an illumination coupling including a front flange, a rear flange, and an illumination channel extending between the front flange and the rear flange and configured to surround a portion of the electrical coupler. A plurality of lighting devices positioned at least partially within the illumination channel are configured to provide, when illuminated, visible light emissions indicating the presence of a voltage potential on at least one of the one or more electrical conductors and/or electrical terminals received within the electrical coupler.)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

an illumination coupling comprising a front flange configured to couple to a front portion of an electrical coupler, a rear flange configured to couple to a body of the electrical coupler, and an illumination channel extending between the front flange and the rear flange;

a plurality of lighting devices positioned at least partially within the illumination channel and configured to illuminate to provide visible light emissions visible outside the illumination channel; and

one or more circuits electrically coupled to the plurality of lighting devices, the one or more circuits configured to sense a presence of a minimum horizontal voltage potential on at least one of one or more electrical conductors or terminals received within the electrical coupler, and control lighting of the plurality of lighting devices based on detecting the presence of the minimum horizontal voltage potential.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the front flange, the rear flange, and the illumination channel are formed from a single piece of cast aluminum.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the illumination channel is configured as a hollow passage surrounding an interior space formed within the illumination coupling.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of lighting devices comprise light emitting diodes.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of illumination devices are positioned at least partially within the illumination channel to provide the visible light emission visible outside the illumination channel from at least any viewing angle of the illumination channel that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the illumination coupling.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more circuits comprises:

a sensing capacitor having a capacitor input and a capacitor output, the capacitor input being electrically coupled to one of the one or more electrical conductors or terminals received within the electrical coupler, an

A plurality of diodes coupled to the capacitor output and to a reference voltage,

wherein the sensing capacitor forms a capacitive ballast circuit between the capacitor input and the plurality of diodes, the capacitive ballast circuit configured to provide a reduced voltage output when the minimum level voltage potential is present at the capacitor input, the reduced voltage output configured to control the lighting of the plurality of lighting devices based on detecting the presence of the minimum level voltage potential at the one of the one or more electrical conductors or terminals.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the sensing capacitor comprises a single capacitor having a first plate of the capacitor formed by a portion of a collet electrically coupled to the one of the one or more electrical conductors or terminals received within the electrical coupler, and having a second plate of the capacitor formed by a layer of capacitor material electrically insulated from and at least partially surrounding the portion of the collet forming the first plate.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein,

wherein the sensing capacitor comprises a plurality of series-parallel coupled capacitors,

wherein the plurality of diodes comprises a four-diode bridge circuit coupled to the capacitor output, an

Wherein a pair of outputs from the four-diode bridge circuit is electrically coupled to one or more of the plurality of lighting devices and configured to provide power to illuminate the one or more lighting devices in response to detecting the minimum level voltage potential.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein,

wherein the sensing capacitor comprises a plurality of capacitors coupled in series, and

wherein the plurality of diodes comprises a pair of zener diodes coupled in series with the series-coupled capacitor, the pair of zener diodes configured in an anti-series clamp arrangement such that one diode of the pair of zener diodes is configured to be forward biased and one diode of the pair of zener diodes is configured to be reverse biased regardless of a polarity of the minimum horizontal voltage potential provided at the capacitor input relative to the reference voltage.

10. The device of claim 6, wherein the reduced voltage output comprises a voltage level directly coupled to one or more of the plurality of lighting devices to illuminate the one or more lighting devices in response to detecting the minimum level voltage potential at the capacitor input.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one of the one or more circuits further comprises:

an optocoupler configured to receive the reduced voltage output and provide a control voltage output based on a voltage level provided by the reduced voltage output, an

A driver circuit comprising a control input coupled to the pair of optocoupler outputs and a driver circuit output coupled to one or more of the plurality of lighting devices, the driver circuit configured to receive the control voltage output at the control input of the optocoupler and provide power to the one or more lighting devices coupled to the driver circuit output to illuminate the one or more lighting devices in response to detecting that the voltage level at the reduced voltage output corresponds to the minimum horizontal voltage potential detected at the capacitor input.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the driver circuit is configured to control the illumination of the one or more illumination devices to provide visible light of a first color when the minimum level voltage potential is detected, and to control the illumination of the one or more illumination devices to provide visible light of a second color different from the visible light of the first color when the minimum level voltage potential is not detected.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a lighting insert positioned within the lighting channel and configured to cover the one or more lighting devices, the lighting insert further configured to perform a light mixing function by mixing wavelengths of different colors of light emitted by one or more lighting devices so as to provide light emission from the lighting channel having one or more wavelengths including the mixed wavelengths of different colors of light.

14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein,

wherein the one or more electrical conductors or terminals include three power electrical conductors received within the electrical coupler, each of the three power electrical conductors configured to provide electrical power associated with one phase of a three-phase alternating current electrical configuration, and

wherein the one or more circuits comprise three circuits, each of the three circuits being electrically coupled to one and only one of the three power electrical conductors and configured to control the illumination of one or more of the plurality of lighting devices based on the presence of a minimum horizontal voltage potential sensed at the one and only one electrical conductor.

15. An apparatus, comprising:

an electrical coupler comprising a body and a front portion mechanically coupled to the body, the electrical coupler configured to receive one or more electrical conductors configured to carry electrical power within the electrical coupler;

a first ring having an inner surface, a sidewall, and an outer surface, the inner surface of the first ring having a shape and having a size configured to allow the first ring to encircle the body at a first location along the body;

a second ring having an inner surface, a sidewall, and an outer surface, the inner surface of the second ring having a shape and having dimensions configured to allow the second ring to encircle the body at a second location along the body, the second location spaced from the first location relative to a longitudinal axis of the electrical coupler to provide an illumination channel encircling the portion of the body between the first ring and the second ring;

a plurality of lighting devices positioned at least partially within the illumination channel and configured to provide visible light emission when illuminated; and

one or more circuits electrically coupled to the plurality of lighting devices, each of the one or more circuits configured to detect a presence of a minimum level voltage potential on at least one of one or more electrical conductors received within the electrical coupler and control the lighting of the plurality of lighting devices based on detecting the presence of the minimum level voltage potential on the one or more electrical conductors.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the plurality of lighting devices comprise light emitting diodes.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the plurality of illumination apparatuses are positioned at least partially within the illumination channel to provide the visible light emission visible outside the illumination channel from at least any viewing angle of the illumination channel that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the illumination coupling.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein at least one of the one or more circuits comprises:

a sensing capacitor having a capacitor input and a capacitor output, the capacitor input being electrically coupled to one of the one or more electrical conductors or terminals received within the electrical coupler, an

A plurality of diodes coupled to the capacitor output and to a reference voltage,

wherein the sensing capacitor forms a capacitive ballast circuit between the capacitor input and the plurality of diodes, the capacitive ballast circuit configured to provide a reduced voltage output when the minimum level voltage potential is present at the capacitor input, the reduced voltage output configured to control the lighting of the plurality of lighting devices based on detecting the presence of the minimum level voltage potential at the one of the one or more electrical conductors or terminals.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the sensing capacitor comprises a single capacitor having a first plate of the capacitor formed by a portion of a collet electrically coupled to the one of the one or more electrical conductors or terminals received within the electrical coupler, and having a second plate of the capacitor formed by a layer of capacitor material electrically insulated from and at least partially surrounding the portion of the collet forming the first plate.

20. The apparatus as set forth in claim 18, wherein,

wherein the sensing capacitor comprises a plurality of series-parallel coupled capacitors,

wherein the plurality of diodes comprises a four-diode bridge circuit coupled to the capacitor output, an

Wherein a pair of outputs from the four-diode bridge circuit is electrically coupled to one or more of the plurality of lighting devices and configured to provide power to illuminate the one or more lighting devices in response to detecting the minimum level voltage potential.

21. The apparatus as set forth in claim 18, wherein,

wherein the sensing capacitor comprises a plurality of capacitors coupled in series,

wherein the plurality of diodes comprises a pair of zener diodes coupled in series with the series-coupled capacitor, the pair of zener diodes configured in an anti-series clamp arrangement such that one diode of the pair of zener diodes is configured to be forward biased and one diode of the pair of zener diodes is configured to be reverse biased regardless of a polarity of the minimum horizontal voltage potential provided at the capacitor input relative to the reference voltage.

22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the reduced voltage output comprises a voltage level directly coupled to one or more of the plurality of lighting devices to illuminate the one or more lighting devices in response to detecting the minimum level voltage potential at the capacitor input.

23. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one of the one or more circuits further comprises:

an optocoupler configured to receive the reduced voltage output and provide a control voltage output based on a voltage level provided by the reduced voltage output,

a driver circuit comprising a control input coupled to the pair of optocoupler outputs and a driver circuit output coupled to one or more of the plurality of lighting devices, the driver circuit configured to receive the control voltage output at the control input of the optocoupler and provide power to the one or more lighting devices coupled to the driver circuit output to illuminate the one or more lighting devices in response to detecting that the voltage level at the reduced voltage output corresponds to the minimum horizontal voltage potential detected at the capacitor input.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the driver circuit is configured to control the illumination of the one or more illumination devices to provide visible light of a first color when the minimum level voltage potential is detected, and to control the illumination of the one or more illumination devices to provide visible light of a second color different from the visible light of the first color when the minimum level voltage potential is not detected.

25. The apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein,

wherein the one or more electrical conductors or terminals include three power electrical conductors received within the electrical coupler, each of the three power electrical conductors configured to provide electrical power associated with one phase of a three-phase alternating current electrical configuration, and

wherein the one or more circuits comprise three circuits, each of the three circuits being electrically coupled to one and only one of the three power electrical conductors and configured to control the illumination of one or more of the plurality of lighting devices based on the presence of a minimum horizontal voltage potential sensed at the one and only one electrical conductor.

26. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

a lighting insert positioned within the lighting channel and configured to cover the plurality of lighting devices, the lighting insert further configured to perform a light mixing function by mixing wavelengths of different colors of light emitted by the plurality of lighting devices so as to provide light emission from the lighting channel having one or more wavelengths including the mixed wavelengths of different colors of light.

27. A method, comprising:

sensing, by one or more circuits, a minimum horizontal voltage potential on one or more electrical conductors received at a portion of each of the one or more electrical conductors within the electrical coupler; and

controlling, by the one or more circuits, illumination of a plurality of illumination devices disposed around an outer perimeter of the electrical coupler based on sensing a presence of the minimum level voltage potential on the one or more electrical conductors, wherein the plurality of illumination devices, when illuminated in response to detecting the minimum level voltage potential at the one or more electrical conductors, are configured to provide visible light emission visible outside the illumination channel.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein sensing the minimum horizontal voltage potential comprises coupling a voltage present on one of the one or more electrical conductors to a capacitor formed on a collet within the electrical coupler.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,

wherein sensing the minimum horizontal voltage potential comprises coupling a voltage present on one of the one or more electrical conductors to a plurality of capacitors arranged in a series-parallel configuration and providing an output from the plurality of capacitors to a four-diode bridge circuit, and wherein controlling the illumination of a plurality of lighting devices comprises powering one or more of the plurality of lighting devices using power provided by the four-diode bridge circuit.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,

wherein sensing the minimum horizontal voltage potential comprises coupling a voltage present on one of the one or more electrical conductors to an input of an optocoupler circuit and providing an output from the optocoupler circuit to a control input of a driver circuit, and

wherein controlling the lighting of a plurality of lighting devices comprises powering one or more of the plurality of lighting devices using power provided by the driver circuit.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,

wherein sensing the voltage potential comprises coupling a voltage present on one of the one or more electrical conductors to a plurality of series-coupled capacitors, and providing an output from the plurality of series-coupled capacitors to a pair of zener diodes coupled together in an anti-series clamping arrangement, and

wherein controlling the lighting of a plurality of lighting devices comprises powering one or more of the plurality of lighting devices using power provided at a low voltage output node between the plurality of series-coupled capacitors and the pair of zener diodes.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein the one or more electrical conductors comprise three electrical conductors, each of the three electrical conductors configured to receive a voltage potential provided as one phase of a three-phase alternating current power supply configuration.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to electrical couplers and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods for electrical couplers that include an indication of the presence of a voltage potential within the electrical coupler.

Background

In various industrial environments and other environments where equipment is operating, such as in mining operations, many devices may be employed that require power to be provided to the device through a wired power connection. These wired connections typically take the form of cables that may include a plurality of individual electrical conductors insulated from one another and disposed together within a protective outer jacket, which is typically flexible and formed of an electrically insulating material.

Generally, each device that requires power also needs to be mobile. For example, one piece of equipment used in mining operations may require electrical power to operate, and may also need to be able to move from one location to another. These requirements typically require that the device be coupled to a power source via a cable to provide power to the device while allowing the device to remain mobile, even when power is provided to the device and/or the device is running.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure relates generally to devices, systems, and methods for providing an indication at an electrical coupler, e.g., a visual and/or audio indication related to the presence of a voltage potential on one or more of the electrical conductors terminated within the electrical coupler. The electrical coupler may be configured to allow connection and disconnection of a cable including electrical conductors terminated within the electrical coupler to other cables and/or other devices, such as power sources and devices powered by electrical power provided through the cable.

Examples of electrical couplers described by the present disclosure include an illumination coupler including a front flange, a rear flange, and an illumination channel extending between the front flange and the rear flange and configured to surround a portion of an electrical coupler. A plurality of lighting devices positioned at least partially within the lighting channel are configured to illuminate to provide visible light emission when they indicate the presence of a voltage potential on at least one of the one or more electrical conductors and/or terminals that may be received, secured, and/or terminated within the electrical coupler.

Other examples of electrical couplers described in the present disclosure include electrical couplers having first and second rings, each ring surrounding a body of the electrical coupler at a different location along the body and spaced apart to form an illumination channel that also surrounds a portion of an outer perimeter of the body. A plurality of lighting devices may be positioned at least partially within a lighting channel formed in the space between the two rings, wherein the lighting devices are configured to illuminate when illuminated to provide a visible light emission that indicates a voltage potential is present on at least one of the one or more electrical conductors and/or electrical terminals received, secured, and/or terminated within the electrical coupler.

Various circuits are described that allow for sensing a presence of a voltage potential at one or more of electrical conductors and/or electrical terminals that may be received, secured, and/or terminated within an electrical coupler and controlling illumination of a lighting device located within a lighting channel of the electrical coupler to provide an indication of the presence of the voltage potential or voltage potential at the one or more electrical conductors and/or electrical terminals.

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus comprising: an illumination coupling including a front flange configured to be coupled to a front portion of an electrical coupler, a rear flange configured to be coupled to a body of the electrical coupler, and an illumination channel extending between the front flange and the rear flange and configured to surround a portion of the body of the electrical coupler; a plurality of lighting devices positioned at least partially within the illumination channel and configured to illuminate when illuminated to provide a visible light emission; and one or more circuits electrically coupled to the plurality of lighting devices, each of the one or more circuits configured to detect a presence of a voltage on one or more electrical conductors or terminals received within the electrical coupler and control lighting of the plurality of lighting devices based on detecting a presence of a voltage potential on at least one of the one or more electrical conductors or terminals.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus comprising: an electrical coupler configured to receive and secure one end portion of one or more electrical conductors configured to carry electrical power, the electrical coupler comprising a body and a front portion mechanically coupled to the body; a first ring having an inner surface, a sidewall, and an outer surface, the inner surface of the first ring having a shape and having dimensions to allow the first ring to first encircle the body at a first location along the body; a second ring having an inner surface, a sidewall, and an outer surface, the inner surface of the second ring having a shape and having dimensions that allow the second ring to surround the body at a second location along the body, the second location spaced from the first location relative to the longitudinal axis of the electrical coupler to provide an illumination channel around a portion of the body between the first ring and the second ring; a plurality of lighting devices positioned at least partially within the illumination channel and configured to provide visible light emission when illuminated; and one or more circuits electrically coupled to the plurality of lighting devices, each of the one or more circuits configured to detect a presence of a voltage on one or more electrical conductors or terminals received within the electrical coupler and control lighting of the plurality of lighting devices based on detecting a presence of a voltage potential on at least one of the one or more electrical conductors.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method comprising: sensing, by a sensor circuit, a voltage potential on one or more electrical conductors received at a portion of each of the one or more electrical conductors within the electrical coupler; and controlling, by the circuitry, illumination of the plurality of lighting devices based on the voltage potentials sensed on the one or more electrical conductors, wherein the one or more lighting devices are arranged around an outer perimeter of the electrical coupler and provide illumination including visible light that is visible from various angles around an exterior of the electrical coupler when a minimum level voltage potential is sensed on at least one of the one or more electrical conductors.

The details of one or more examples are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example system including an electrical coupler according to the devices and techniques described in this disclosure.

Fig. 2A illustrates a side view of an example electrical coupler including an illumination coupling in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure.

Fig. 2B illustrates a side view of another example of an electrical coupler including an illumination channel in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure.

Fig. 3A illustrates a side view of an example electrical coupler, in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure.

Fig. 3B illustrates a perspective view of the example electrical coupler of fig. 3A.

Fig. 3C illustrates another perspective view of the example electrical coupler of fig. 3A.

Fig. 3D illustrates an exploded view of an example electrical coupler, in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure.

Fig. 4 illustrates an electrical schematic diagram of an example voltage detection and lighting circuit in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure.

Fig. 5A illustrates an electrical terminal including an example voltage sensing capacitor 144 in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure.

Fig. 5B illustrates a cartridge including an example voltage sensing capacitor according to the devices and techniques described in this disclosure.

Fig. 6A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example electrical coupler, in accordance with various devices and techniques described in this disclosure.

Fig. 6B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the example electrical coupler of fig. 6A in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure.

Fig. 7 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example circuit configured to sense and indicate a voltage potential in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure.

Fig. 8A illustrates an electrical schematic diagram of an example sensing circuit in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure.

Fig. 8B illustrates a layout diagram of an example sensing circuit in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure.

Fig. 8C illustrates example circuit components in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure.

Fig. 9A illustrates a perspective view of an example illumination coupling in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure.

Fig. 9B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the example illumination coupling illustrated in fig. 9A.

Fig. 9C illustrates a side view of the example illumination coupling illustrated in fig. 9A.

Fig. 9D illustrates another side view of the example illumination coupling illustrated in fig. 9A.

Fig. 10A illustrates an example illumination channel ring in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure.

Fig. 10B illustrates an example of a pair of illumination channel rings mounted on a body of an electrical coupler to form an illumination channel in accordance with the apparatus and techniques described in this disclosure.

Fig. 11 illustrates an example lighting insert 250 in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure.

Fig. 12 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure.

The figures and descriptions provided herein illustrate and describe various examples of the inventive methods, apparatus, and systems of the present disclosure. However, the methods, apparatus and systems of the present disclosure are not limited to the specific examples shown and described herein, and as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, other examples and variations of the methods, apparatus and systems of the present disclosure are considered to be within the scope of the present patent application.

Detailed Description

In general, the present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for providing separate insulated electrical conductors designed to allow connection and disconnection of electrical conductors configured to perform power, such as may be provided together in a cable. The first end portions of the electrical conductors may be physically coupled to respective electrical terminals, such as male pins or female sockets, provided in an electrical coupler that receives and secures the first end portions of the electrical conductors. The second end of the electrical conductor may be coupled to a power source or another electrical coupler, for example.

The electrical coupler may be configured to be received through or otherwise engage a second electrical coupler having a corresponding set of electrical terminals configured such that when the electrical coupler and the second electrical coupler are physically coupled together, the terminals within each electrical coupler provide an electrical connection between the terminals of the electrical coupler and the second electrical coupler. The second set of electrical conductors may be physically and electrically coupled to corresponding terminals in the second electrical coupler. The ability to couple and decouple the electrical couplers to and from the second electrical coupler provides a mechanism to electrically connect and disconnect the electrical conductors received in each of the electrical couplers from each other, such as from other electrical conductors in different cables, or such as to a power source or device powered by the power provided through the electrical conductors provided to the electrical couplers.

Examples of electrical couplers described in the present disclosure include devices configured to provide an indication, such as a visual and/or audible indication, present at one or more of the electrical conductors and/or electrical terminals that may be received, secured, and/or terminated within the electrical coupler, and in some examples, no voltage potential. Various advantages provided by the electrical coupler with one or more indications provided at the electrical coupler itself and relating to the presence and/or absence of a voltage potential or the safety and convenience of a voltage potential present within the electrical coupler will be discussed with respect to the figures described below.

Fig. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example system 10 including an electrical coupler in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure. The system 10 includes a power distribution system 12, the power distribution system 12 including a power source 14, the power distribution system 12 arranged to provide power to one or more electrically powered devices 40 operating in a production environment, such as a mining environment 41. System 10 illustrates an example of an electrical distribution system 12 and a mining environment 41 in which the electrical couplers described in this disclosure and any equivalents thereof may be used. However, an electrical coupler as described in this disclosure and any equivalents thereof are not limited to use in the electrical distribution system 12 or in the mining environment 41 depicted in fig. 1, and may be used in any electrical system that utilizes an electrical coupler to allow connection and disconnection of one or more electrical conductors according to various examples of the electrical coupler described herein.

As shown in fig. 1, the power supply 14 includes a power output 15 and a reference voltage 13 coupled to the power supply. The power output 15 may include one or more electrical conductors configured to provide an electrical path for the power provided by the power source 14 to be provided to one or more of the power distribution devices included in the power distribution system 12. The power provided by the power source 14 is not limited to any particular configuration of power, and may include any configuration of power required to provide power required for normal operation of electrically powered equipment 40 included in the mining environment 41 or intended to operate in the mining environment 41. Configuration of electrical power as used herein refers to any arrangement of electrical power with respect to voltage, maximum current, waveform, frequency, and/or number and arrangement of any different phases that provide electrical power to an electrical conductor being connected and disconnected by the electrical coupler described herein and any equivalents thereof. For power configurations that provide power in the form of alternating current, the voltage may be represented as a peak voltage, a peak-to-peak voltage, or an average voltage, such as a Root Mean Square (RMS) voltage.

In some examples, the power provided by the power source 14 may be commercially available power having a voltage, multiple phases, a frequency, and/or the same electrical configuration as provided by a commercial or government power company. In some examples, the power provided by the power source 14 may include a power configuration generated on-site, for example using a generator operated by another power source (such as another power source, a chemical/fuel source, a wind or hydro-power source, or some other energy source). In some examples, the power provided by the power source 14 includes a configuration of power that is converted from one power source, such as a commercial or government provided power source, to a different power configuration with respect to voltage, number of phases, frequency, and/or Alternating Current (AC) versus Direct Current (DC) power configuration.

In some examples, the power supply 14 provides Direct Current (DC) power to the power distribution system 12. In some examples, power source 14 may provide Alternating Current (AC) power to power distribution system 12. In the example of the power source 14 providing AC power, the electrical configuration of the AC power is not limited to any particular number of phases or phase arrangement. In some examples, the AC power may be a single phase configuration. In other examples, the AC power may be provided in a multi-phase electrical configuration (including a two-phase or three-phase electrical configuration). In various examples, the power provided by the power source 14 may include a delta configuration with or without three phases grounded. In various examples, the power provided by the power source 14 may include a three-phase "Y" configuration, which may be ungrounded or may be centrally grounded.

The voltage level provided by the power supply 14 is not limited to any particular voltage or range of voltages. The voltage provided by the power supply 14 may be in the range of 5,000V to 25,000V peak voltage. The voltage provided by the power supply 14 may include three-phase power having a Root Mean Square (RMS) voltage of 15,000 VAC. Additionally, the range of current levels that the power supply 14 is configured to provide is not limited to any particular range or maximum current level. In some examples, the power supply 14 is configured to provide a current in the range of 250 amps to 800 amps (a).

Additionally, the power supply 14 may be configured to provide more than one power supply, with different power supply configurations. For example, the power source 14 may be configured to provide a first power comprising a three-phase AC power (e.g., to power the electrically powered device 40), as well as a separate power source, such as a low voltage DC power that may be used to power lighting circuits (not specifically shown in fig. 1, but such as the circuits 110 and/or 118 shown in fig. 4) disposed in one or more of the electrical couplers included in the system 10.

As shown in fig. 1, the first substation 16 is coupled to the power output 15 of the power source 14 and is arranged to receive power from the power source 14. In some examples, the first substation 16 includes a switching circuit 16A that allows connection and disconnection of power received from the power source 14 relative to an electrical output 16C provided from the first substation 16. First substation 16 may include circuitry 16B that performs one or more functions related to the power received from power source 14 and provided to electrical output 16C. For example, the circuit 16B may include one or more protection devices such as fuses, circuit breakers, and/or solid state devices configured to provide overvoltage, overcurrent, and/or ground fault protection to the electrical output 16C provided by the first substation 16. In various examples, the circuitry 16B may include circuitry configured to provide one or more power sources having different voltages or different electrical configurations (such as low voltage DC power) relative to the power received from the power source 14. For example, circuit 16B may include a DC power supply configured to rectify, filter, and provide low voltage DC power as an output, such as a +24VDC electrical output generated from high or medium (5kV to 25kV) three-phase power provided to first substation 16 by power supply 14.

The first substation 16 may be located and positioned such that the first substation 16 does not need to be physically moved from one location or position to a different location or position, and thus may be coupled to the power output 15 of the power source 14 by electrical conductors disposed in a fixed junction box, such as a wire trough or electrical conduit. As shown in fig. 1, the electrical connection between the first substation 16 and the power source 14 does not include an electrical coupler. However, in various examples, one or more electrical couplers may be disposed between the first substation 16 and the power source 14 to electrically couple the first substation 16 to the power source 14, wherein one or more of the electrical couplers may include an electrical coupler according to any of the electrical couplers described in the present disclosure or any equivalent thereof.

In fig. 1, a first circuit breaker carriage 18 is electrically coupled to the first substation 16 by an electrical connection 17. First breaker carriage 18 is configured to receive power from first substation 16 and distribute the received power to loaders 42. Loader 42 is an example of a piece of electrically powered equipment provided as part of system 10 in mining environment 41. Although only loader 42 is shown in fig. 1 as being powered by first circuit breaker carriage 18, in some examples, more than one piece of electrically powered equipment may be powered by the power provided by first circuit breaker carriage 18. First circuit breaker carriage 18 is electrically coupled to loader 42 and is configured to provide power to operate loader 42. In various examples, first breaker carriage 18 may be a portable breaker carriage configured to be movable from one position to another relative to first substation 16 and/or loader 42. The ability of the first circuit breaker carriage 18 to be portable allows for flexible positioning and repositioning of the first circuit breaker carriage as the need to run the loader 42 and/or any other equipment that may need to be powered by the first circuit breaker carriage develops as part of the mining operation. As such, more permanent equipment such as wire troughs and/or rigid electrical conduits may not be practical to provide and protect electrical connections for electrically coupling first circuit breaker carriage 18 with first substation 16 and/or loader 42.

To facilitate portability and flexibility that may be required with respect to electrical connections made with first circuit breaker carriage 18, a flexible cable including a plurality of electrical conductors and one or more electrical couplers provided at one or more locations along or at an end or ends of the cables may be provided to allow for connection and disconnection of the cables with the devices and/or with other cables. As shown in fig. 1, the electrical connection 17 includes a plurality of electrical couplers 17A that couple the electrical connection 17 to the first substation 16 and the first breaker carriage 18. Additionally, at least one electrical coupler 44 may be used to couple electrical cable 43 to first circuit breaker carriage 18, wherein electrical coupler 44 and electrical cable 43 electrically couple loader 42 to first circuit breaker carriage 18.

As shown in fig. 1, the electrical coupler 17A comprises an electrical coupler coupling the first substation 16 to a part of an electrical connection 17, for example formed by a cable. The electrical coupler 17A also comprises a pair of electrical couplers coupling the two parts of the electrical connection 17. Electrical coupler 17A also includes an electrical coupler that couples a portion of electrical connection 17 to first circuit breaker carriage 18. In various examples, one or more of the electrical couplers 17A and/or 44 may comprise an electrical coupler comprising a circuit and an indication device arranged to provide an indication, such as a visual and/or audio indication, indicating that a voltage potential is present on one or more of the electrical conductors provided as part of the electrical connection 17 according to various examples of electrical couplers described in the present disclosure or any equivalents thereof. Electrical coupler 17A may be configured to couple one or more sets of electrical conductors configured to provide a conductive path for electrical power at a voltage and using one or more power configurations provided by first substation 16 to first breaker carriage 18. Additionally, electrical coupler 44 may be configured to couple one or more sets of electrical conductors disposed in electrical cable 43 that are configured to provide a conductive path for electrical power at a voltage(s) and using electrical power arranged to couple power provided by first circuit breaker carriage 18 to loader 42 through electrical cable 43.

The example of the system 10 may further include a second substation 20 electrically coupled to the power output 15 of the power source 14. The second substation 20 may receive power from the power source 14 and may include a switching circuit 20A, which switching circuit 20A may be used to connect and disconnect the power received from the power source 14 to an electrical output 20C of the second substation 20. The switching circuit 20A may be arranged to provide any of the features and functions described above with respect to the switching circuit 16A of the first substation 16 but not with respect to the second substation 20, including the generation of power provided from the power source 14 and providing additional power configurations. The second substation 20 may include circuitry 20B that performs one or more functions related to the power received from the power source 14 and provided to the electrical output 20C. For example, the circuit 20B may include one or more protection devices such as fuses, circuit breakers, and/or solid state devices configured to provide overvoltage, overcurrent, and/or ground fault protection to the electrical output 20C provided by the second substation 20. The circuit 20B may be arranged to provide any of the features and functions described above with respect to the circuit 16B of the first substation 16 but not with respect to the second substation 20.

In various examples, the circuitry 20B may include circuitry configured to provide one or more power sources having different voltages or different electrical configurations (such as low voltage DC power) relative to the power received from the power source 14. For example, the circuit 20B may include a DC power supply configured to rectify, filter, and provide low voltage DC power as an output, such as a +24VDC electrical output generated from high or medium (5kV to 25kV) three-phase power provided to the second substation 20 by the power supply 14.

The second substation 20 may be located and positioned such that the second substation 20 does not need to be physically moved from one location or position to a different location or position, and thus may be coupled to the power output 15 of the power source 14 by electrical conductors disposed in a fixed junction box, such as a wire trough or electrical conduit. As shown in fig. 1, the electrical connection between the second substation 20 and the power source 14 does not include an electrical coupler. However, in various examples, one or more electrical couplers may be disposed between the second substation 20 and the power source 14 to electrically couple the second substation 20 to the power source 14, wherein one or more of the electrical couplers may include an electrical coupler according to any of the electrical couplers described in the present disclosure or any equivalent thereof.

In fig. 1, a second circuit breaker carriage 22 is electrically coupled to the second substation 20 by an electrical connection 21. Second breaker carriage 22 is configured to receive power from second substation 20 and distribute the received power to stripper 46. Stripper 46 is an example of a piece of electrically powered equipment provided as part of system 10 in mining environment 41. Although only stripping column 46 is shown in fig. 1 as being powered by second circuit breaker carriage 22, in some examples, more than one piece of electrically powered equipment may be powered by power provided by second circuit breaker carriage 22. Second circuit breaker carriage 22 is electrically coupled to stripper 46 and is configured to provide power to operate stripper 46. In various examples, the second circuit breaker carriage 22 may be a portable circuit breaker carriage configured to be movable from one location to another location relative to the second substation 20 and/or the stripper 46. The ability of the second circuit breaker carriage 22 to be portable allows for flexible positioning and repositioning of the second circuit breaker carriage as the need to run the stripper 46 and/or any other equipment that may need to be powered by the second circuit breaker carriage develops as part of the mining operation. As such, more permanent equipment such as wire troughs and/or rigid electrical conduits may not be practical to provide and protect electrical connections for electrically coupling the second breaker carriage 22 with the second substation 20 and/or the stripper 46.

To facilitate portability and flexibility that may be required with respect to electrical connections made with the second circuit breaker carriage 22, a flexible cable including a plurality of electrical conductors and one or more electrical couplers provided at one or more locations along or at an end or ends of the cables may be provided to allow for connection and disconnection of the cables with the devices and/or with other cables. As shown in fig. 1, the electrical connection 21 includes a plurality of electrical couplers 21A that couple the electrical connection 21 to the second substation 20 and the second circuit breaker carriage 22. Additionally, at least one electrical coupler 48 may be used to couple the electrical cable 47 to the second circuit breaker carriage 22, wherein the electrical coupler 48 and the electrical cable 47 electrically couple the stripper 46 to the second circuit breaker carriage 22.

As shown in fig. 1, the electrical coupler 21A comprises an electrical coupler coupling the second substation 20 to a part of the electrical connection 21, for example formed by a cable. The electric coupler 21A also comprises a pair of electric couplers coupling the two parts of the electrical connection 21. The electrical coupler 21A also includes an electrical coupler that couples a portion of the electrical connection 21 to the second circuit breaker carriage 22. In various examples, one or more of the electrical coupler 21A and/or the coupler 48 may comprise an electrical coupler comprising a circuit and an indication device arranged to provide an indication, such as a visual and/or audio indication, indicating that a voltage potential is present on one or more of the electrical conductors provided as part of the electrical connection 21 according to various examples of electrical couplers described in this disclosure or any equivalents thereof. Electrical coupler 21A may be configured to couple one or more sets of electrical conductors configured to provide a conductive path for electrical power at a voltage and using one or more electrical configurations provided by second substation 20 to second breaker carriage 22. Additionally, the electrical coupler 48 may be configured to couple one or more sets of electrical conductors disposed in the electrical cable 47 that are configured to provide a conductive path for electrical power at a voltage(s) and using electrical power arranged to couple power provided by the second circuit breaker 22 to the stripper 46 through the electrical cable 47.

Although first substation 16 and second substation 20 are shown in fig. 1 as having separate electrical connections coupling power output 15 of power source 14 to these devices, in some examples, second substation 20 and/or second breaker carriage 22 may instead receive power provided by power source 14 through first substation 16 and/or first breaker carriage 18, as indicated by dashed line 19. These other electrical connections (exemplarily shown in fig. 1 in dashed lines 19) may also include electrical couplers with indication devices, such as visual and/or audio indications, including one or more of the various examples of electrical couplers described throughout this disclosure and any equivalents thereof. Other arrangements for power distribution in the apparatus and system 10 are possible and are contemplated for use by the apparatus and method shown and described with respect to the example of the system 10, which may include the use of the electrical coupler described by the present disclosure and any equivalents thereof.

The electrical couplers included in the system 10 may be configured to provide electrical connections between electrical conductors in a first cable and other electrical conductors within a different cable, or between electrical conductors within a cable and devices such as substations, circuit breaker carriages, and equipment shown and described with respect to the system 10. In each example using an electrical coupler, the electrical coupler is configured to provide suitable structure and has rated electrical characteristics to connect, carry and disconnect electrical power that is intended to be carried by an electrical conductor that is connected and disconnected by the electrical coupler. One or more of these electrical couplers may also include circuitry and one or more indication devices configured to provide an indication of the presence of a voltage potential on one or more of the electrical conductors received, secured, and/or terminated within the electrical coupler.

Examples of an indication device may include a device provided as part of an electrical coupler configured to receive, secure, and/or terminate at least one of the power electrical conductors within the electrical coupler to provide a visual and/or audio indication of the presence of a voltage potential. Devices that provide a visual indication of the presence of a voltage potential within the electrical coupler include lighting devices, such as incandescent or gas lamps, and/or solid state devices, such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). Other forms of visual indication of the presence of a voltage potential within the electrical coupler may include a measurement device such as a digital or analog meter having an output display that indicates, and in some cases is a measurement of, the level of the voltage potential present within the electrical coupler. The device that may provide an audible indication of the presence of a voltage potential within the electrical coupler may include an audio alarm such as a buzzer or buzzer configured to provide an audible tone or sound indicating the presence and/or absence of a voltage potential at the electrical coupler.

Sensing circuitry for detecting the presence of a voltage potential at one or more of the power electrical conductors received, secured and/or terminated at the electrical coupler may include sensing of an electric or magnetic field, for example using capacitive, inductive or resistive sensors. In some examples, the power required to drive an indication device (e.g., a lighting device such as an LED) may be derived from the power that creates a voltage potential on a power electrical conductor within the electrical coupler. These systems may be referred to as "direct line driver" circuits because they do not require any external power supply to operate. In some systems for providing an indication of the voltage potential on one or more power electrical conductors within an electrical coupler, a separate power source, such as a low voltage DC power source, is used to power one or more devices for operating a sensing circuit and/or a driver circuit for controlling and powering the indicating device. These systems may be referred to as "indirect line driver" circuits because of the additional power required to operate the circuits.

As understood by the general knowledge of the power distribution system 10, including the mining environment 41 or other environments that may utilize the electrical couplers shown in fig. 1, due to the distance of the electrical couplings between the devices to one another, as well as other visual obstructions that may be located between the devices, a problem arises in that users, such as workers or maintenance personnel, may not know and may not be able to readily determine whether one or more of the electrical couplers in the environment in which they are working has energy on any of the electrical conductors received, secured and/or terminated within the electrical couplers, at least by individually inspecting the electrical couplers. Examples of electrical couplers as described in this disclosure provide an indication at the electrical coupler itself that a voltage potential is present on one or more of the power electrical conductors within the electrical coupler.

In examples described in this disclosure, the presence of a voltage potential on one or more of the power electrical conductors within the electrical coupler may be indicated regardless of whether current flow is occurring through the monitored power electrical conductor. Thus, an indication that a potential is present at the electrical coupler can be provided both when the electrical coupler is coupled to the source of voltage potential and when the electrical coupler is not coupled to the source of voltage potential. Furthermore, the indication device described in the present disclosure allows for visually indicating the presence of a voltage potential provided around all sides of the electrical coupler without requiring a user to, for example, pick up or otherwise physically manipulate the electrical coupler. The ability to potentially see the indication device, and thus be able to determine the status of the electrical coupler from multiple angles around the electrical coupler relative to the presence or absence of a voltage potential on a power electrical coupler within the electrical coupler, provides an increased level of safety to a user.

Because of the potential for use of these electrical couplers in harsh operating environments, such as the use of electrical couplers (which are positioned such that they are placed on open ground in a mining environment), the electrical couplers may be damaged in a manner that exposes portions of the electrical conductors and/or electrical terminals of the electrical couplers to inadvertent access through the damaged portions of the couplers. The ability to visually inspect a damaged electrical coupler to determine the presence or absence of a voltage potential within the electrical coupler without the need to touch or otherwise manipulate the electrical coupler provides a safety function that may help avoid accidents and/or help prevent injury to a user who is using the electrical coupler, who may be operating in the area of the electrical coupler, and/or while performing maintenance procedures on the electrical coupler. These and other benefits of the electrical coupler with indication of the presence and/or absence of a voltage potential within the electrical coupler will be further described by the accompanying drawings and the associated description of these drawings, as provided throughout this disclosure.

For purposes of illustration only, and not for purposes of limitation in any way, examples of electrical couplers described below may relate to electrical couplers arranged to terminate electrical conductors intended to carry medium voltage three phase AC power. The term "medium voltage" may include peak voltages (relative to a reference voltage) in the range of 4kV to 25 kV. The term "three-phase" may refer to any arrangement of AC electrical power having a frequency and including three separate phases of electrical potential provided on three separate electrical conductors and arranged in a phase relationship with each other (such as in a "delta" or "Y" configuration). Throughout this disclosure, the individual electrical conductors intended to carry three-phase AC power may be referred to as power electrical conductors and represent electrical conductors that may be provided, for example, in a cable and that each terminate at one end of an electrical conductor within one of the electrical conductors described by this disclosure. In addition to the power electrical conductors, electrical conductors coupled to a reference voltage for the three-phase AC power may also be included in the cable, and may be referred to as "common" conductors or "grounds," and may also terminate at one of the terminals provided within each of the electrical couplers. Additionally, cables terminated at examples of electrical couplers described throughout this disclosure may include one or more additional electrical conductors intended to carry other voltage potentials, such as low voltage DC power.

The electrical conductors and terminals provided as power electrical conductors in the electrical couplers described in this disclosure may be configured to carry electrical current in the range of 250 to 800 amps. In this way, the electrical conductors and terminals within the electrical coupler intended to carry the power electrical load may be larger, e.g. larger in cross-sectional diameter, than the electrical conductors and terminals intended to carry e.g. low voltage DC power (which may also be provided in the same cable as the medium voltage AC three phase power supply). Thus, a given electrical coupler may include terminals of various sizes to accommodate different levels of current carrying capacity of different electrical conductors provided within the same cable, and these terminals may both terminate in the electrical coupler and need to be coupled to mating terminals in a second coupler when coupled to the given electrical coupler.

Fig. 2A illustrates a side view of an example electrical coupler 50 including an illumination coupling 52 in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure. Examples of the electrical coupler 50 may be configured to receive, secure, and/or terminate on one or more of the power electrical conductors within the electrical coupler to provide an indication, such as a visual indication, of the presence and/or absence of a voltage potential. As shown in fig. 2A, the electrical coupler 50 includes a front portion 51, an illumination coupling 52, a body 53, and a cable clamp 54. The cable clamp 54 is coupled to the rear flange 82 of the main body 53. The tapered housing 80 of the body extends from a rear flange 82 of the body 53 to a front flange 81 of the body 53, partially surrounding a hollow portion or space 83 within the body 53, and has a cross-sectional dimension that increases relative to the longitudinal axis 55 of the electrical coupler 50 as the tapered housing extends from the rear flange 82 to the front flange 81. The illumination coupling 52 includes a rear flange 76 in physical contact with and mechanically coupled to a front flange 81 of the body 53. The front flange 75 of the illumination coupling 52 contacts and mechanically couples with the rear flange 71 of the front portion 51. A portion of the illumination coupling 52 having a width dimension relative to the longitudinal axis 55 and disposed between the front and rear flanges 75, 76 forms an illumination channel 77.

The front portion 51 includes a front portion housing 70 that extends from a rear flange 71 away from the illumination coupling 52 in a direction along the longitudinal axis 55. The front portion 51 further comprises one or more terminal housings 72, 73, the one or more terminal housings 72, 73 being formed within the front portion and configured to provide a location for positioning electrical terminals within the front portion 51. A portion of the terminal housings 72, 73 can extend from the front portion back into and/or through an interior space of the illumination coupling 52, as exemplarily shown as extensions 72A, 73A. The terminal housings 72, 73 and the extensions 72A, 73A can perform various functions, such as insulating the exposed portions of the terminals and the respective power electrical conductors from one and the other of the electrical couplers and providing arc suppression when coupling and disconnecting the electrical coupler 50 from a mating electrical coupler or separate device. The positioning of these terminals and the arrangement of the front portion housing 70 of the front portion 51 may be configured to allow the front portion 51 to be received or received at the front portion of the mating electrical coupler to allow the terminals to be electrically coupled to, and then electrically disconnected from, the electrical terminals in the mating coupler. The coupling and decoupling of the terminals within the electrical coupler 50 may be accomplished by providing access to these terminals through openings 57 located on the front face of the front portion 51, the openings 57 being located at opposite ends of the front portion 51 relative to the rear flange 71 of the front portion.

The material or materials used to form the front portion 51, the illumination coupling 52, the body 53, and the cable clamp 54 are not limited to any particular material or materials. In some examples of the electrical coupler 50, one or more of the front portion 51, the illumination coupling 52, the body 53, and/or the cable clamp 54 are formed, in whole or in part, from a metal or metallic material, such as cast aluminum. In some examples of the electrical coupler 50, one or more of the front portion 51, the illumination coupling 52, the body 53, and/or the cable clamp 54 are formed, in whole or in part, from a plastic or resin material, such as polyurethane or epoxy. The front portion 51, the illumination coupler 52, the body 53, and/or the cable clamp 54 are coupled together to form the electrical coupler 50 as shown in fig. 2A is not limited to the use of any particular device or fastening technique. In some examples, one or more portions of the electrical coupler 50, including the front portion 51, the illumination coupling 52, the body 53, and the cable clamp 54, may be coupled using a fastener, such as a threaded machine screw, or by using a nut and bolt type fastener. In some examples, one or more portions of the electrical coupler 50, including the front portion 51, the illumination coupling 52, the body 53, and the cable clamp 54, may be coupled together using an adhesive, such as an epoxy glue, or by some form of coupling, for example, using a welding technique suitable for bonding together various types of materials used to form part of the electrical coupler that are joined together.

As shown in fig. 2A, the overall shape of the electrical coupler may be generally circular in cross-section at least relative to the outermost surface of the electrical coupler, with a dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 55 of the electrical coupler 50. However, the shape of the electrical coupler 50 is intended to illustrate examples of the shape of the electrical coupler, other shapes such as square, rectangular, and oval may be present at one or more locations along the longitudinal axis 55 of the electrical coupler, for example, as the cross-sectional shape of the electrical coupler, and are contemplated by the examples of electrical couplers described in this disclosure.

A cable 60 is shown including a plurality of electrical conductors 62, 64 disposed within an outer covering 61 of the cable 60, a portion of the cable 60 being received within the electrical coupler 50. Each of the electrical conductors 62, 64 of the electrical cable 60 may also include an outer insulating jacket that further protects the respective electrical conductor 62, 64 and also insulates each electrical conductor from any other electrical conductors disposed within the outer layer 61 of the electrical cable 60. The number of electrical conductors included in cable 60 is not limited to two electrical conductors, or a particular number of electrical conductors, and may include as many electrical conductors as are necessary to provide one or more particular types of electrical power, including power provided as Direct Current (DC), Alternating Current (AC), and having one or more phases of AC power.

For example, the cable 60 may include at least three power electrical conductors arranged to provide each phase of AC power in a three-phase electrical system. The cable 60 may also include an electrical conductor that specifies a reference voltage, such as ground, for providing power relative to power provided on one or more other power electrical conductors included in the cable 60. Further, different types of power may be provided by different electrical conductors provided by the cable 60. For example, in some cases, multiple electrical conductors provided in the cable 60 are arranged to provide each phase of three-phase AC power, and one or more additional electrical conductors may be included in the cable 60 to provide independent DC power. In various examples, these different power configurations may share a conductor or "ground" for a common reference voltage within cable 60. In other examples, one or more of the power configurations provided by the electrical conductors of the cable 60 may be arranged to include different (separate) electrical conductors arranged to provide separate reference voltages, and an entirely separate electrical conductor for each of these different power configurations (including a separate reference voltage conductor for each different power configuration) may be provided with the cable 60.

As shown in fig. 2A, the cable 60 is received in an opening provided in the cable clamp 54 and extends through a hollow portion or space 83 within the body 53. The cable clamp 54 may be arranged such that, after receiving the cable 60 in the opening, a clamping mechanism, such as a fastener (not shown in fig. 2A) coupling portions of the cable clamp to one another, may be actuated to exert a force on the outer layer 61 of the cable 60 in order to secure in place the portion of the outer layer extending through the cable clamp.

The outer layer 61 of the cable 60 terminates within the body 53, and the individual electrical conductors (illustratively shown as first electrical conductor 62 and second electrical conductor 64) extend through a hollow portion 83 of the body 53 in the direction of the illumination coupling 52. As noted above, a third electrical conductor (not shown in fig. 2A for clarity) may also extend from an end portion of the outer layer 61 in a direction toward the lighting coupler 52. Each of these power electrical conductors then extends in a direction through a central section within the lighting coupling 52 and terminates at a respective electrical terminal located within the terminal housings 72, 73 and a third terminal housing (not shown in fig. 2A) of the front portion 51. Termination of the electrical power conductors provides electrical coupling between the respective electrical conductors and the respective terminals at the locations where the electrical conductors terminate.

Each of the electrical conductors 62, 64 or electrical terminals 63, 65 coupled to the ends of these electrical conductors, respectively, may be electrically coupled to one of the circuits located within the electrical coupler 50. For example, the first electrical conductor 62 or a first terminal 63 coupled to the first electrical conductor 62 may be electrically coupled to the first circuit 66. The first circuit 66 may include an input (not shown in fig. 2A, but such as input 201 as shown in fig. 8A) electrically coupled to the first electrical conductor 62 and/or the first terminal 63. The input to the first circuit 66 as shown in fig. 2A provides an input signal to the first circuit 66 by the presence or absence of a voltage potential on the first electrical conductor 62 and/or the first terminal 63. The first circuit 66 is also electrically coupled to one or more lighting devices (not shown in fig. 2A, but such as the lighting device 78 shown and described with respect to fig. 3A-3C). The illumination device(s) can be physically located at least partially or entirely within the illumination channel 77 of the illumination coupling 52. As shown in fig. 2A, the first circuit 66 may be configured to control the illumination of these one or more lighting devices based on the presence or absence of a voltage potential on the first electrical conductor 62 and/or the first terminal 63.

For example, when a minimum level voltage potential is present on first electrical conductor 62 and/or first terminal 63, the voltage potential is coupled to an input of first circuit 66, e.g., through an electrical conductor such as a metal wire that is electrically coupled to electrical conductor 62 or first terminal 63. The first circuit 66 is configured to receive the voltage potential and control illumination of one or more lighting devices coupled to the first circuit based on a level of the voltage received at an input of the first circuit.

When no voltage or a voltage potential below the minimum level voltage potential is present on the first electrical conductor 62 and/or the first terminal 63, the first circuit 66 may not provide a power output that would illuminate the one or more lighting devices coupled to the first circuit 66, and thus the one or more lighting devices may be in an "OFF" state, i.e., not emitting any visible light. When a voltage potential at or above the minimum voltage potential level is present on the first electrical conductor 62 and/or the first terminal 63, the voltage potential may be electrically coupled to an input of the first circuit 66 and received at the input of the first circuit 66. When this minimum level voltage potential is received by the first circuit 66, the first circuit 66 may be configured to provide a power output to one or more lighting devices coupled to the first circuit. When providing a power output to these lighting devices, the lighting devices are configured to illuminate, e.g., operate in an "ON" state, and emit visible light as an indication that a voltage potential is present at the first electrical conductor 62 and/or the first terminal 63.

The presence or absence of emitted visible light from the lighting device coupled to the first electronic circuit 66 provides an indication of whether a minimum level voltage potential is present on the first electrical conductor 62 and/or the first terminal 63. Because the first circuit 66 is arranged to control the illumination of the lighting device by sensing the voltage potential, there need not be an actual current through the first electrical conductor 62 and/or the terminal 63 in order to determine whether a minimum level voltage potential is present on the first electrical conductor 62 and/or the first terminal 63. This feature of the first circuit 66 allows for control of the lighting devices, and thus the ability to provide a visual indication provided by these lighting devices, as long as there is a minimum level of voltage potential on the electrical conductor 62 and/or the terminal 63, regardless of whether the electrical coupler 50 is coupled to another device or another electrical coupler, which provides an additional path for the actual current through the electrical coupler 50.

In various examples, the first circuit 66 may be physically located within a hollow space 83 disposed within the body 53, as shown in fig. 2A. However, the location of the first circuit 66 is not limited to any particular location within the electrical coupler 50 and may, for example, be incorporated in the electrical coupler 50 within the area surrounded by the illumination coupling 52. In some examples, monitoring of the indication of the voltage potential may only be provided on one electrical conductor, such as electrical conductor 62 of electrical coupler 50, even when more than one phase of electrical power is provided on a separate power electrical conductor and is received by and possibly charged by the electrical coupler.

In some examples, the presence or absence of the minimum level voltage potential may be indicated by more than one lighting device for the power electrical conductor received within the electrical coupler 50. For example, as shown in fig. 2A, the electrical coupler 50 includes a second electrical circuit 67 located within a hollow space 83 within the body 53 of the electrical coupler 50. The second circuit 67 may include an input (not shown in fig. 2A, but such as the input 201 shown and described with respect to fig. 8A) electrically coupled to the second electrical conductor 64 and/or the second terminal 65 of fig. 2A. The input to the second circuit 67 provides an input signal to the second circuit 67 by the presence or absence of a voltage potential on the second electrical conductor 64 and/or the second terminal 65. The second circuit 67 is also electrically coupled to one or more lighting devices (not shown in fig. 2A, but such as the lighting device 78 shown and described with respect to fig. 3A-3C). The illumination device(s) can be physically located at least partially or entirely within the illumination channel 77 of the illumination coupling 52. The second circuit 67 is configured to control the illumination of the one or more lighting devices based on the presence or absence of a voltage potential on the second electrical conductor 64 and/or the second terminal 65.

For example, when a minimum level voltage potential is present on the second electrical conductor 64 and/or the second terminal 65, the voltage potential is coupled to an input of the second circuit 67, for example, through an electrical conductor, such as a metal wire, that is electrically coupled to the second electrical conductor 64 or the second terminal 65. The second circuit 67 is configured to receive the voltage potential and control illumination of one or more lighting devices coupled to the second circuit 67 based on a level of the voltage received at an input of the second circuit. For example, when no voltage or a voltage potential below a minimum level voltage potential is present on the second electrical conductor 64 and/or the second terminal 65, the second circuit 67 may not provide a power output that would illuminate one or more lighting devices coupled to the second circuit 67, and thus these one or more lighting devices may be in an "OFF" state, i.e., not emitting any visible light.

When a voltage potential equal to or greater than the minimum voltage potential level is present on the second electrical conductor 64 and/or the second terminal 65, the potential may be electrically coupled to an input of the second circuit 67 and received at an input of the second circuit 67. When the minimum level voltage potential is received by the second circuit 67, the second circuit 67 may be configured to provide a power output to one or more lighting devices coupled to the second circuit. When power output is provided to these lighting devices, the lighting devices are configured to illuminate, e.g., operate in an "ON" state, and emit visible light as an indication that a voltage potential is present at the second electrical conductor 64 and/or the second terminal 65.

Although not specifically shown in fig. 2A, it should be understood that a third electrical conductor coupled to the third terminal may be included as part of the cable 60 as part of a set of power electrical conductors arranged to connect and disconnect a three-phase AC power configuration intended to be carried by the cable 60. In various examples, a third circuit (not specifically shown in fig. 2A) may be provided within the electrical coupler 50, arranged in a similar manner as the first and second circuits 66, 67 described above, to receive input relating to the presence or absence of a minimum level voltage potential on the third power electrical conductor and/or the third terminal, and to control illumination of one or more lighting devices located at least partially or entirely within the illumination channel 77 based on the presence or absence of the minimum level voltage potential at the third electrical conductor and/or the third terminal. The third circuit can be physically located within the hollow space 83 of the body 53 relative to the first and second circuits 66, 67 in a manner similar to that shown in fig. 2A, or can be located at other locations within the electrical coupler 50, such as within an area surrounded by the illuminated coupling 52.

In various examples, the illumination channel includes a covering or filler material disposed within the illumination channel 77 and covering, for example, any of the lighting devices that may be partially or fully located within the illumination channel. Any covering or filler disposed within the illumination channel 77 may be provided to further protect the illumination devices located within the illumination channel while still allowing light emitted by the illumination devices to be visible outside the illumination channel. In various examples, the cover or fill material may also function to help distribute light emitted from the lighting device, and is further described, for example, with respect to the lighting insert shown and described in fig. 11.

Referring again to fig. 2A, the lighting devices controlled by any of the circuits 66, 67 or the third circuit may be arranged around the perimeter of the electrical coupler 50 formed by the lighting channels 77 such that at least one of the lighting devices controlled by each of the circuits is visible from at least any angle perpendicular to the lighting channels surrounding the electrical coupler 50. For example, when the illumination channel 77 is viewed from an angle as shown in fig. 2A (e.g., a side view), when the illumination channel 77 is viewed from a side of the electrical coupler opposite the side view shown in fig. 2A, and when the illumination channel 77 is viewed from a top side (indicated by the direction of arrow 52A) or a bottom side (indicated by the direction of arrow 52B) of the electrical coupler as shown in fig. 2A, at least one illumination device controlled by each of the circuits 66, 67 and the third circuit that controls the illumination of the illumination device in the illumination channel 77 will be visible. This feature of providing full visibility of the lighting device for visual indication of all phases of the power electrical conductors from at least any perspective perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the electrical coupler and other elevations relative to the lighting channel adds a level of security to personnel inspecting and/or handling the electrical coupler 50, as the indication of the presence of a voltage potential within the electrical coupler on any of the power electrical conductors can be determined visually without touching or physically manipulating the coupler to expose the perspective of the lighting device. This feature may be useful, for example, when the electrical coupler is not visible on a particular side of the electrical coupler without physical manipulation, such as when the coupler may be located on the ground, and thus portions of the bottom and/or sides of the electrical coupler and portions of the illumination channel 77 are not readily visible.

Further, for example, even when the electrical coupler is not physically coupled to another device or another electrical coupler that provides a current path through the electrical coupler, the ability to provide a visual indication as to the presence or absence of a voltage potential within the electrical coupler provides an increased level of security for personnel operating, inspecting, and coupling/uncoupling the electrical coupler 50 by providing a visual indication that a voltage potential is present at one or more of the electrical conductors received within the electrical coupler, regardless of whether the electrical coupler is coupled or uncoupled to another device at the front portion 51 of the electrical coupler. Further, the separate indication of which phases of the electrical conductor within the electrical coupler 50 may be at voltage potential and which may not also provide a troubleshooting tool that can be used to locate and repair breaks, opens or shorts, or other electrical problems with individual electrical conductors within the cable or within the electrical coupler that has received the electrical conductor of the cable.

Fig. 2B illustrates a side view of another example of an electrical coupler 50A including an illumination channel 92 in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure. Examples of the electrical coupler 50A may be configured to provide an indication, such as a visual indication, of the presence and/or absence of a voltage potential on one or more of the power electrical conductors received, secured, and/or terminated within the electrical coupler. As shown in fig. 2B, the electrical coupler 50A includes a front portion 51, a main body 53, and a cable clamp 54. The electrical coupler 50A includes an electrical cable 60, the electrical cable 60 including electrical conductors 62, 64 disposed in the electrical cable 60 that are received and terminated at terminals 63, 65, respectively, within terminal housings 72, 73 of the front portion 51. The electrical coupler 50A includes a first circuit 66 electrically coupled to the first conductor 62 and/or the first terminal 63, and is configured to control one or more lighting devices (not shown in fig. 2B) to provide an indication of the presence or absence of a minimum level voltage potential at the first conductor 62 and/or the first terminal 63 in a manner similar to that described above with respect to fig. 2A.

As also shown in fig. 2B, the electrical coupler 50A includes a second circuit 67, the second circuit 67 being electrically coupled to the second electrical conductor 64 and/or the second terminal 65, and configured to control one or more lighting devices (not shown in fig. 2B) to provide an indication of the presence or absence of the minimum level voltage potential at the second electrical conductor 64 and/or the second terminal 65 in a manner similar to that described above with respect to fig. 2A. The electrical coupler 50A may also include a third circuit (not shown in fig. 2B for clarity) electrically coupled to a third power electrical conductor disposed in the cable 60, the third circuit arranged to receive an input corresponding to the presence or absence of a voltage potential on the third conductor and/or the third terminal, and to control illumination of one or more lighting devices (not shown in fig. 2B) coupled to the third circuit in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the third circuit in fig. 2A.

The electrical coupler 50A as shown in fig. 2B differs from the electrical coupler 50 shown and described with respect to fig. 2A in that the electrical coupler 50A does not include an illumination coupling 52, but rather has a front flange 81 of the body 53 that is physically coupled directly to the rear flange 71 of the front portion 51 of the electrical coupler 50A. In this way, if present in coupler 50A, each of circuits 66, 67 and the third circuit may be located in a hollow space 83 provided within main body 53.

As described above, the electrical coupler 50A does not include the illumination coupling 53, and therefore does not include the illumination channel 77 provided as part of the illumination coupling. Instead, an illumination channel 92 is formed around the perimeter of a portion of the body 53 of the electrical coupler 50A between the first ring 90 and the second ring 91. The first and second rings 90, 91 may be positioned apart from one another relative to the longitudinal axis 55 of the electrical coupler 50A, each surrounding a portion of the tapered housing 80 to form a protected illumination channel 92 in the space between the rings. The lighting device provided with the electrical coupler 50A electrically coupled to the electrical circuitry (e.g., the electrical circuitry 66, 67 and a third electrical circuit not shown in fig. 2B) may be physically located within the lighting channel 92 and arranged such that visible light emitted from the lighting device when the lighting device is energized to the "ON" state may be visible from all angles perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 55 about the electrical coupler 50A in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the lighting device and the lighting channel 77 in fig. 2A.

Rings 90 and 91 may include outer surfaces that extend beyond the outer surface of illumination channel 92 relative to the distance from longitudinal axis 55 to provide physical protection for the illumination device and to provide any covering or filling material within illumination channel 92. Any covering or filler disposed within the illumination channel 92 may be provided to further protect the illumination devices located within the illumination channel while still allowing the light emitted by the illumination devices to be visible outside of the illumination channel 92. The spacing between the rings 90 and 91 relative to the longitudinal axis 55 forms the width of the illumination channel 92, and the side walls of the rings 90 and 91 facing each other form side walls, and thus the depth of the illumination channel 92 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 55 and around the entire circumference of the body 53 in the area where the inner walls of the rings 90 and 91 facing the illumination channel define the width of the illumination channel 92.

In a manner similar to that described above with respect to the circuits 66, 67 and lighting devices located in the illumination channel 77 of the electrical coupler 50, the circuits 66, 67 and lighting devices, which may be located within the illumination channel 92, may be configured to provide a visual indication of the presence or absence of a voltage potential on one or more of the electrical conductors and/or terminals received, secured and/or terminated within the electrical coupler 50A.

Fig. 3A illustrates a side view of an example electrical coupler 50 in accordance with various devices and techniques described in this disclosure. In some examples, the electrical coupler 50 as shown in fig. 3A may be an example of the electrical coupler 50 shown and described with respect to fig. 2A. As shown in fig. 3A, the electrical coupler 50 includes a front portion 51, an illuminating coupling 52, a body 53, and a cable clamp 54 arranged in a similar manner with respect to each other as described and illustrated with respect to fig. 2A. As shown in fig. 3A, the electrical coupler 50 includes a cover 58 that is attached to the front portion 51 at a location that provides protection to the terminals and interior portions of the front portion 51 when the electrical coupler 50 is not coupled to another electrical coupler. As shown in fig. 3A, the front portion 51 may include a threaded portion 51A, the threaded portion 51A configured to engage a threaded portion on an inner surface of the cover 58 to allow the cover 58 to be secured in place covering the opening of the front portion 51.

As further shown in fig. 3A, the electrical coupler 50 includes an illumination channel 77, the illumination channel 77 including a plurality of illumination devices 78 at least partially within the illumination channel 77. The lighting device 78 is coupled to circuitry (not shown in fig. 3, but such as the circuitry 66, 67 shown and described with respect to fig. 2A) that controls the lighting device 78 such that the lighting device 78 provides a visual indication of whether a voltage potential and/or power is present at a portion of one or more of the electrical conductors and/or terminals received, secured and/or terminated within the electrical coupler 50. The electrical conductors may be provided as part of an electrical cable (not shown in fig. 3A) that is received and secured by the cable clamp 84 and extends into the body 53 of the electrical coupler 50, wherein the electrical conductors included in the electrical cable terminate at one or more terminals that are positioned at least partially within the front portion 51 of the electrical coupler 50. In various examples, one or more of the terminals and/or electrical conductors are electrically coupled to circuitry that controls the lighting device 78. In some examples, the circuit is configured to provide power for illuminating one or more of the lighting devices when one or more voltage potentials are present on one or more of the terminals and/or electrical conductors within the electrical coupler 50.

As shown in fig. 3A, the illumination devices 78 may be arranged in sets or groups distributed along the illumination channel 77 in such a manner that at least one of the sets or groups of group illumination devices is visible from at least any perspective of the illumination channel that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 55 of the electrical coupler. Additionally, in examples where different ones of the lighting devices are controlled to indicate the presence and/or absence of a minimum level voltage potential on different electrical conductors within the electrical coupler 50 of fig. 3A, each set or group of lighting devices may be configured to include at least one lighting device that is controlled to provide a visual indication of the presence or absence of a voltage potential on each of the power electrical conductors disposed within the electrical coupler. In this manner, at least one lighting device configured to indicate the presence or absence of a voltage potential in each of the power electrical conductors received, secured and/or terminated within the electrical coupler will be visible from at least any perspective of the lighting channel perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 55 of the electrical coupler.

Additional details of the cable clamp 54 as shown in fig. 3A include a first clamping portion 84A coupled to a second clamping portion 84B by one or more fasteners 86, and forming an opening 85, the opening 85 being arranged to receive and secure a portion of a cable (not shown in fig. 3A, but such as the cable 60 shown in fig. 2A) that may be inserted into the electrical coupler 50 through the cable clamp 54. The first and second clamping portions 84A, 84B are configured to spread apart from each other to allow a portion of the cable to be received in the opening 85 and then to secure the portion of the cable received within the electrical coupler 50 by being pulled together using the fastener 86 to provide a grip on the portion of the cable received in the opening 85.

Fig. 3B shows a perspective view of the electrical coupler 50 of fig. 3A. Fig. 3B shows an electrical coupler 50 that includes a front portion 51, an illumination coupling 52, a body 53, and a cable clamp 54. The perspective view in fig. 3B shows the electrical coupler 50 looking at the cover 58 and showing the cover 58 coupled to the threaded portion 51A of the front portion 51. A portion of the illumination coupling 52 and illumination channel 77 can be seen in the perspective view of fig. 3B. As shown in fig. 3B, a portion of the illumination channel 77, and thus the illumination provided by the illumination device included within the illumination channel, is visible at a viewing angle that is not necessarily perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 55 of the electrical coupler 50, e.g., at a viewing angle relative to the illumination channel 77 shown in fig. 3B. Such additional visibility may increase another level of safety and convenience provided by the ability to visually determine the state of the electrical coupler 50 relative to voltage potentials that may be present within the electrical coupler without necessarily viewing the electrical coupler 50 and/or the illumination channel 77 at a viewing angle perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the electrical coupler.

Fig. 3C is another perspective of the electrical coupler 50 of fig. 3A. Fig. 3C shows an electrical coupler 50 that includes a front portion 51, an illumination coupling 52, a body 53, and a cable clamp 54, looking at the electrical coupler towards the cable clamp 54. As shown in fig. 3C, the cable clamp 54 includes an opening 85, and the opening 85 can include a ridge 85A, the ridge 85A configured to further grip an outer layer of a cable (not shown in fig. 3C) that can be received in the opening 85 to provide strain relief for the received cable when a portion of the cable external to the electrical coupler 50 is pulled or bent in a direction away from the electrical coupler.

As also shown in fig. 3C, one or more of the illumination devices 78 are visible in the illumination channel 77 of the illumination coupling 52. In various examples, the lighting devices 78 include LED devices. In various examples, the illumination device 78 extends at least partially or entirely within the illumination channel 77, and may be covered or enclosed within the illumination channel by a transparent or translucent cover (not shown in fig. 3B) that further protects the illumination device while allowing any light emitted by the illumination device to be visible outside of the illumination channel 77. In various examples, a set or group of illumination devices 78 can be spaced around the outer perimeter of the illumination coupling 52 and within the illumination channel 77 such that at least one illumination device associated with each of the power conductors being monitored for the presence and/or absence of voltage potential will be visible from at least any angle of the illumination channel about the illumination channel perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 55 of the electrical coupler 50.

In various examples, one of the lighting devices 78 in each set or group of lighting devices is coupled to a circuit arranged to control the illumination of the lighting device 78 in conjunction with a sensed voltage potential of one of the electrical conductors received within the electrical coupler 50, wherein each of the sets or groups of lighting devices 78 includes at least one lighting device configured to be controlled to indicate the presence or absence of a voltage potential on each of the power electrical conductors received, fixed and/or terminated in the electrical coupler 50. As such, for at least each viewing angle around illumination channel 77 perpendicular to longitudinal axis 55, at least one illumination device 78 providing an indication of the presence or absence of a voltage potential at each of the power electrical connectors is visible. Additionally, visibility of the illumination device 78 disposed in the illumination channel 77 may be possible at viewing angles other than those perpendicular to the electrical coupler longitudinal axis 55, such as provided at the angles shown in fig. 3C. The increased visibility of the lighting devices 78 for the reasons described above may provide an increased level of security for the user.

Fig. 3D illustrates an exploded view of an example electrical coupler 50 in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure. As shown in fig. 3D, the coupler 50 includes a cover 58, a front portion 51, an illumination coupling 52, a body 53, and a cable clamp 54. The front portion 51 includes a set of terminals 140 configured to provide electrical connection to other terminals in a mating coupler (not shown in fig. 3D) for each individual power electrical conductor received in the electrical coupler 50. The terminals 140 are configured to be positioned in one of the terminal housings 72, 73, respectively, shown in fig. 3D. The terminal 140 may be electrically and physically coupled to a power electrical conductor disposed in a cable (not shown in fig. 3D) a portion of which is received and terminated within the electrical coupler 50. In various examples, one or more sensing circuits, such as the circuits 66, 67 shown and described with respect to fig. 2A and 2B, may be electrically coupled to one or more of the terminals 140 shown in fig. 3D to sense the voltage potential on these one or more terminals and control illumination of the illumination device located within the illumination channel 77 of the illumination coupling 52 to provide a visual indication of the presence or absence of a minimum voltage potential at one or more of the terminals 140. These sensing circuits and/or circuits may be physically located in a space 83 provided within the body 53 of the electrical coupler 50.

In various examples, a lighting insert 79 may be provided, the lighting insert 79 configured to be at least partially or fully inserted within the lighting channel 77 and provide physical protection for the lighting devices located within the lighting channel 77. In various examples, the illumination insert 79 acts as a light pipe to conduct light emitted by one or more of the illumination devices around other portions or the entire perimeter portion of the illumination channel 77 to help provide a visual indication of the light emitted by the illumination devices. Additional illustration and details regarding an example of the lighting insert 79 are provided with respect to fig. 11, and the description associated with fig. 11 is provided below.

Fig. 4 illustrates an electrical schematic diagram of an example voltage detection and lighting circuit 100 in accordance with various devices and techniques described in this disclosure. As shown in fig. 4, the electrical cable 101 includes at least one electrical conductor 102 configured to receive a voltage and carry a current, and which terminates at an electrical terminal 104 within the electrical coupler. The circuit 110 is coupled to the electrical conductor 102, or in some instances to the electrical terminal 104, and to a reference voltage line 103 included in the cable 101. The circuit 110 is also electrically coupled to one or more lighting devices 105. In some examples, the circuit 110 is any one of the circuits located within the body of the electrical coupler, such as the circuits 66 and 67 shown in fig. 2A and 2B, that is configured to sense a voltage potential and control illumination of one or more lighting devices based on the sensed voltage potential. As described further below, the circuit 110 may be configured to sense the presence of a voltage potential on the electrical conductor 102 and/or the electrical terminal 104, and to control the illumination of at least the lighting device 105 based on the sensing of the presence or absence of a minimum level voltage potential on the electrical conductor 102 and/or the terminal 104.

As shown in fig. 4, circuit 110 includes a capacitor 111, the capacitor 111 being coupled to an input of an optocoupler 112. The output from the optocoupler 112 is coupled through a voltage divider network 114, 115 to a Reference (REF) output 116 and a Control (CTRL) input 117 of an LED driver circuit 118. A first side of the capacitor 111 is electrically coupled directly to the electrical conductor 102 and/or the terminal 104. Although the connection between the first sides of the capacitors 111 is shown contacting the electrical conductor 102, in various examples, the electrical conductor of the first side of the coupling capacitor 111 may instead contact the terminal 104. In various examples, the electrical conductor coupling the first side of the capacitor 111 to the electrical conductor 102 and/or the terminal 104 is an insulated wire formed from a conductive metallic material (such as, but not limited to, copper). Although capacitor 111 is illustrated in fig. 4 as a single capacitor, examples of capacitor 111 are not limited to including a single capacitor, and in some examples, may include multiple capacitors, which in some examples are coupled in series, as illustrated, for example, by capacitor 202 shown and described with respect to fig. 8A-8C. In some examples, the first side of the capacitor 111 is formed by some portion of the electrical conductor or terminal itself that is physically adjacent to and insulated from the second side of the capacitor 111, such as in the manner of the capacitor 144 shown and described with respect to fig. 5A and 5B.

Referring again to fig. 4, the second side of capacitor 111 is electrically coupled to input pins 2 and 3 of optocoupler 112. Both input pins 1 and 4 are electrically coupled to common line 103 of cable 101. The first LED of optocoupler 112 includes an anode coupled to pin 1 of the optocoupler and a cathode coupled to pin 2 of the optocoupler. The first LED of the optocoupler is optically coupled to the first switching device that couples pins 7 and 8 of the optocoupler 112 and is configured to control the first switching device with respect to switching the first switching device to an "ON" or "OFF" state. The second LED of optocoupler 112 includes an anode coupled to pin 3 of the optocoupler and a cathode coupled to pin 4 of the optocoupler. The second LED of the optocoupler 112 is optically coupled to a second switching device that couples pins 5 and 6 of the optocoupler 112 and is configured to control the second switching device relative to switching the second switching device to an "ON" or "OFF" state. In various examples, the first and second switching devices operate as light-sensitive NPN semiconductor devices that can be switched to an "ON" state or an "OFF" state based ON receiving or not receiving, respectively, light transmitted from the first and second LEDs of the optocoupler 112, respectively. In some examples, a diode current of 150 μ Α through the first LED is required to switch a first switching device optically coupled to the first diode to an "ON" state. Similarly, in some examples, a diode current of 150 μ Α through the second LED of the optocoupler 112 is required to switch the second switching device optically coupled with the second diode to the "ON" state.

Pins 6 and 8 of optocoupler 112 are directly electrically coupled to the CTRL input 117 of driver circuit 118. Pins 6 and 8 are also coupled to REF output 116 of the driver circuit through resistive device 114. Pins 5 and 7 of optocoupler 112 are electrically coupled to common line 103 through resistive device 115. A source of low voltage DC power, such as +24 volt DC power, is provided to driver circuit 118 at the Vin + input, and the Vin-input of driver circuit 118 is electrically coupled to common line 103. In addition, the driver circuit 118 includes LED + connections and LED-connections arranged to provide an electrical output that enables the lighting device 105 to be driven to an "ON" state and provide illumination. In various examples, the lighting device 105 includes a plurality of LEDs connected in series, and the electrical output provided by the LED + connection and the LED-connection is an appropriate voltage and current to drive each of the plurality of LEDs to an "ON" lighting state, in which the LEDs 105 emit light at one or more visible wavelengths. The LED105 may be a lighting device disposed in the lighting channel of the electrical coupler, wherein the electrical conductor 102 has been terminated at the terminal 104, and wherein the lighting device is configured to provide a visual indication of the presence of the minimum level voltage potential at the electrical conductor 102 and/or the terminal 104 by being driven to an illuminated "ON" state when the minimum level voltage potential is present at the conductor 102 and/or the terminal 104.

In operation, when the minimum level voltage potential is not present on electrical conductor 102, the capacitive voltage provided at input pins 2 and 3 of optocoupler 112 is insufficient to cause current to flow through either of the diodes within the optocoupler, and therefore both switching devices are in the "OFF" state. The REF output 116 is configured to always provide a DC output voltage, such as +5VDC, when the LED driver circuit is powered by +24 VDC. When both switching devices of the optocoupler 112 are in the "OFF" state, the voltage at the CTRL input 117 is pulled up to a +5VDC level through resistor 114, which the LED driver circuit 118 interprets as a situation in which there is no minimum voltage potential at the electrical conductor 102. In some examples, when +5V DC is provided to the CTRL input 117, the LED driver circuit 118 does not provide output power to the LED + and LED-outputs, and thus the LED105 is not powered and not illuminated. The LED105 may include a plurality of LEDs located around the illumination channel and, when not illuminated, provide an indication that a minimum level voltage potential is not present at the electrical conductor 102.

When a minimum horizontal voltage potential is present at the electrical conductor 102, for example, when the voltage difference between the electrical conductor 102 and the common line 103 is sufficient, a medium voltage of 5kV may occur at least during part of the voltage period, the capacitor 111 acts as a capacitive ballast, thereby creating a fixed current source between the capacitor 111 and the input of the diode of the optocoupler 112. The diodes are arranged such that, regardless of the polarity of the minimum voltage present at conductor 102, one of the diodes will receive a much smaller voltage level at its anode that is sufficient to generate a current through that diode and then switch the corresponding switching device for the LED that is subject to the current to the "ON" state. When either of the switching devices is switched to the "ON" state, the switching device will provide an electrical path coupling REF output 116 to common line 103 through the voltage divider network formed by resistive devices 114 and 115. The voltage divider network is configured to provide a trigger voltage level, e.g., +2VDC or less, at the CTRL input 117 when the resistor devices provide the voltage divider function described above due to any of the switching devices of the optocoupler 112 being in an "ON" state. The LED driver circuit 118 interprets the trigger voltage level input at the CTRL input 117 as an indication that a minimum level voltage potential is present at the electrical conductor 102. When a trigger level voltage is detected at the CTRL input 117, in some examples, the LED driver circuit 118 may be configured to provide a power output to the LED + and LED-outputs that will cause the LED105 to be illuminated, thereby providing a visual indication that a minimum level voltage potential is present at the electrical conductor 102.

Thus, in some configurations, when the LED105 is illuminated, the presence of the minimum level voltage potential is visually indicated by the illumination of the LED 105. As described above, the LEDs 105 may include a plurality of LEDs positioned at different locations around a perimeter of the electrical coupler and within an illumination channel formed or disposed as part of the electrical coupler around a portion of the coupler, arranged such that at least one LED of the plurality of LEDs 105 is visible from at least any angle perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the electrical coupler on which the LED105 is mounted. In this manner, the state of the LED105 can be visibly determined from at least any visible angle of the illumination channel that surrounds the electrical coupler and is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the electrical coupler.

In some configurations, the circuit 110 and the LED105 may provide two different visual indications, such as illumination of different colors of the LED105, depending on whether a minimum level voltage potential is present at the electrical conductor 102. For example, as described above, when there is no minimum level voltage potential at the electrical conductor 102, the CTRL input 117 of the LED driver circuit 118 is pulled up to the reference voltage level provided by the REF output 116. The LED driver circuit 118 may be configured to interpret this as an indication that there is no minimum level voltage potential on the electrical conductor 102, and may be configured to drive the LED105, for example, at a first voltage level or using a first input to the LED, which causes the LED105 to illuminate in a first manner, such as in a first color.

When the minimum level voltage potential is sensed at the electrical conductor 102, the CTRL input 117 of the LED driver circuit 118 is pulled down to be at or below the trigger voltage, as described above, the LED driver circuit may be configured to interpret as an indication that the minimum level voltage potential is present at the electrical conductor 102. In response to receiving a voltage level at the CTRL input 117 that is at or below the trigger voltage, the LED driver circuit 118 may be configured to drive the LEDs 105, for example, at a second voltage level or using a second input to the LEDs, which results in the LEDs 105 illuminating in a second manner that is different from the first manner or color and visually distinguishable, such as in a second color. In this manner, the LED driver circuit 118 and the LED105 may be configured to provide a first visual indication when the minimum level voltage potential is not sensed at the electrical conductor 102, and to provide a second visual indication that is distinguishable from the first visual indication when the minimum level voltage potential is sensed at the electrical conductor 102.

The minimum horizontal voltage potential at the electrical conductor 102 required by the triggering circuit 110 to transition the LED105 from the "OFF" state to the "ON" state, or to change the visual indication provided by the LED105 from the first indication to a different indication, may be determined by the capacitance and reactive capacitance values provided by the capacitor 111 at the frequency range of the voltage expected to be received ON the electrical conductor 102 and the voltage drop across one of the LEDs coupled to the input of the optocoupler 112. The capacitor 111 is configured to generate or sink a current between the capacitor 111 and a forward biased diode (LED) of the optocoupler 112 such that a voltage level at the input of the forward biased diode of the optocoupler 112 provides a current through the diode, e.g., in the range of 40 to 60 milliamps, sufficient to allow diode illumination to optically trigger the associated switching device to transition to the "ON" state when a minimum level voltage potential is present at the electrical conductor 102. An example of a device that can be used to provide the optical coupler 112 is a Darlington output type two-channel device TLP523-2 type optical coupler manufactured by Tokyo Toshiba corporation of Tokyo Hongku 1-1 Headquarters (Headsurters 1-1Shibaura 1-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo Japan), Japan.

As shown in fig. 4, additional electrical conductors 122 may be provided in the cable 101, wherein the cable 101 provides power electrical conductors configured to carry electrical configurations having more than one phase of power, such as a two-phase power configuration. When present in the cable 101, the electrical conductor 122 may be directly coupled to a terminal (not shown in fig. 4), and the second electronic circuit 120 disposed within the same electrical coupler in which the electrical conductor 102, the terminal 104, and the circuit 110 are located. In a similar manner as described above with respect to circuit 110, circuit 120 may include a capacitor configured to sense a voltage potential at conductor 122 or a terminal to which electrical conductor 122 is coupled. The circuit 120 also includes an optocoupler, a resistive divider network, and an LED driver circuit configured to control illumination of a set of LEDs 124 coupled to the output of the LED driver circuit of the circuit 120. The circuit 120 may operate in the same manner and provide all of the features and functions described above with respect to the circuit 110, but with respect to the detection of an indication of a minimum level voltage potential at the electrical conductor 122 and/or a terminal within an electrical coupler to which the electrical conductor 122 is terminated.

As also shown in fig. 4, a third electrical conductor 132 may be provided in the cable 101, wherein the cable 101 provides a power electrical conductor configured to carry an electrical configuration having three phases. When present in the cable 101, the electrical conductor 132 may be directly coupled to a terminal (not shown in fig. 4) and a third circuit 130 disposed in the same electrical coupler in which the electrical conductor 102, the terminal 104, and the circuit 110 are located. In a similar manner as described above with respect to circuit 110, circuit 130 may include a capacitor configured to sense a voltage potential at a terminal to which conductor 132 or electrical conductor 132 is coupled within the electrical coupler. The circuit 130 also includes an optocoupler, a resistive divider network, and an LED driver circuit configured to control illumination of a set of LEDs 134 coupled to the output of the LED driver circuit of the circuit 130. The circuit 130 may operate in the same manner and provide all of the features described above with respect to the circuit 110 and perform any of the same functions as described above with respect to the circuit 110, but with respect to the detection and provision of an indication of a minimum level voltage potential at the electrical conductor 132 and/or a terminal within an electrical coupler terminated by the electrical conductor 132.

As shown in fig. 4, the +24VDC used to power the LED driver circuitry 118 of circuit 110 and to power the LED driver circuitry of circuits 120 and/or 130 when these circuits are present may be provided as a non-power conductor included in cable 101. In some examples, +24VDC is provided by a power source external to the electrical coupler shown in fig. 4 and is provided to the circuit shown in fig. 4 through a non-power conductor provided in cable 101. The electrical conductor providing +24VDC power is referred to as a non-power conductor because it is not one of the electrical conductors disposed in cable 101, which is configured to be monitored for a minimum level voltage potential, where electrical conductor 102 and electrical conductors 122 and 132 (if present) may be monitored for the presence of a voltage potential on the electrical conductor by the circuitry shown and described with respect to fig. 4.

In some examples, individual ones of the LEDs from each of the plurality of LEDs 105, 124, and 134 may be grouped together to form sets or groups of LEDs such that each set or group contains at least one LED from each of the sets of LEDs 105, 124, 134. Additionally, multiple ones of these mixed sets or groups of LEDs may be positioned at locations around a perimeter of the illumination channel such that at least one of these mixed sets or groups of LEDs will be visible from at least any perspective perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the electrical coupler. In this manner, each such viewing angle of the illumination channel will provide visual access from each of the plurality of LEDs 105, 124, and 134 to at least one LED, and thus provide an indication of the status of each electrical conductor 102, 122, 132 from each of these viewing angles.

In some examples, the output of the LED driver circuit may be electrically coupled between the LEDs 105, 124, 134, as indicated by dashed line 106. The electrical connections schematically shown by dashed lines 106 may be used to electrically couple multiple input/multi-color LED devices provided as LEDs 105, 124, 134 in such a way that each LED, when illuminated, will provide a light emission indicating which of the three electrical conductors 102, 122 and/or 132 has the minimum level voltage potential present at the electrical conductor. For example, a multi-input/multi-color LED may be provided, e.g., as an RGB LED, and electrically connected (e.g., by dashed lines 106) such that when only one of the electrical conductors is at a minimum voltage potential, red, green, and blue will be provided, respectively. When a particular combination of only two of the three electrical conductors are each at a minimum voltage potential level, the LEDs may provide a combined color of magenta, yellow, and cyan, respectively, as a visual indication when illuminated. When all three electrical conductors are at a minimum level voltage potential, the LED can provide white light. The use of these different color combinations provides a level of safety and additional convenience as a troubleshooting tool for visually indicating at the electrical coupler using the lighting device, such that the color specifically indicates which phase of the electrical coupler is actually present at the electrical coupler at any given time.

In various examples, one or more of the LED driver circuits included in circuits 110, 120, and/or 130 may include LED dynamics, which are located by headquarters at helf street number 44, of valsalva, lungwort,

(LEDdynamics,

headquaters at 44Hull Street, Randolf Vermont) manufactured by

BuckPuck 3201 type LED power module. In various examples, one or more of LEDs 105, 124, and/or 134 may include OSRAM optical semi of Lesbnizstrand 4, D-93055, Ragensburg, GermanyAn LRTB C9TP model Multi-CERAMOS enhanced optical power LED manufactured by consumers GmbH.

Fig. 5A illustrates an electrical terminal 140 including an example voltage sensing capacitor 144 in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure. As shown in fig. 5A, the terminals 140 include terminals 141 in the form of male pins that are received in front sockets 142A of the collet 143. The end of the collet 143 opposite the pin 141 includes a rear socket 142B arranged to receive the end of an electrical conductor received in an electrical coupler in which the terminal 140 is configured to be mounted. The electrical conductor may be one of the power electrical conductors arranged to carry medium voltage electrical power to be coupled through the electrical coupler in which the terminal 140 is mounted. Voltage sensing capacitor 144 is shown in fig. 5A as surrounding a portion of clamp 143 and is electrically coupled to additional circuitry (not shown in fig. 5A, but such as circuitry 163 shown and described below with respect to fig. 6A and 6B). The first plate of the capacitor 144 may be formed by a portion of the clip 143 at least partially surrounded by a portion of the capacitor 144 forming the second plate 144A of the capacitor. The second plate 144A of the capacitor 144 may be electrically insulated from the clip 143 and may be formed of a conductive layer of material, such as copper foil, positioned adjacent to and surrounding a portion of the clip 143. The second plate 144A of the capacitor 144 is electrically coupled to the wire 145.

Capacitor 144 thus forms a capacitive ballast that acts as a fixed current source between any voltage potential provided at clip 143 (and thus also at terminal 141) and circuitry that may be coupled to wire 145. In this manner, capacitor 144 is configured to provide both a sensing device to sense the voltage potential at collet 143 and a reduced voltage level at wire 145 that corresponds to the voltage potential present at collet 143 and terminal 141. The output voltage provided from capacitor 144 at lead 145 may be used to directly or indirectly drive additional circuitry including lighting that may provide a visual indication and/or another form of indication of the presence or absence of a voltage potential at clip 143 and terminal 141. For example, the capacitor 144 may be an example of the capacitor 111 shown and described with respect to fig. 4, and the wire 145 may be an input coupling the capacitor 111 to the light input 112 and the LED driver circuit 118, which controls the illumination of the lighting device, such as the LED105, based on the sensed and reduced voltage that the capacitor 144 may provide at the wire 145.

The size of the capacitor 144 is not limited to any particular size and may be determined by the size of the portion of the collet 143 forming the capacitor 144 and/or by the voltage level intended to be sensed by the capacitor. In some examples, the capacitor 144 has a circular cross-sectional dimension with a diameter value of about 25mm and a width dimension 148 of about 18 mm. The portion of the collet 143 in which the capacitor 144 is formed extends between the front and rear containers 142A and 142B and may have a width dimension 146 greater than a width dimension of the capacitor 144. In some examples, dimension 146 is about 30 mm. The dimensions shown and described with respect to fig. 5A are merely illustrative, as well as the dimensions of the clip 143, the terminal 141, and the capacitor 144 may comprise devices having dimensions different than those depicted in fig. 5A, e.g., for a clip and a capacitor designed to carry different ranges of voltages and/or currents. Clips, terminals, and capacitors having different dimensions than those shown and described with respect to fig. 5A are contemplated for providing a capacitor to sense a voltage reduction of a circuit for controlling illumination of a lighting device and to provide a voltage reduction to a circuit for controlling illumination of a lighting device as described throughout this disclosure, and any equivalents thereof.

Fig. 5B illustrates a cartridge 150 including an example voltage sensing capacitor 153 in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure. As shown in fig. 5B, the collet 150 includes a front socket 151, a neck portion 152, and a rear socket portion 154. In various examples, each portion 151, 152, and 154 of the collet 150 is formed from the same piece of conductive material, and thus are electrically coupled to each other. The front receptacle 151 may be configured to receive and electrically couple to a female or male terminal configured to engage another terminal located in an electrical coupler coupled to the electrical coupler to which the collet 150 is mounted. The neck portion 152 of the collet 150 physically and electrically couples the front socket 151 to the rear socket 154. The rear receptacle 154 may be arranged to receive, secure and electrically couple ends of an electrical conductor, such as a power electrical conductor. When the electrical conductor is received and secured within the rear receptacle 154 of the collet 150, the electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the front receptacle 151 and, thus, to any pin or terminal positioned in the front receptacle 151.

Capacitor 153 includes an insulating layer 155 surrounding a portion of the outer surface of rear receptacle 154, and a conductive layer 156 forming a capacitive plate formed over a surface of insulating layer 155 and opposite the surface of insulating layer 155 facing rear receptacle 154. Conductive layer 156 is electrically coupled to a conductive line 157, which conductive line 157 is configured to provide an electrical connection between conductive layer 156 of capacitor 153 and a circuit (not shown in fig. 5A, but such as circuit 163 shown and described below with respect to fig. 6A and 6B). As shown in fig. 5B, the portion of rear receptacle 154 surrounded by conductive layer 156 forms a first plate of capacitor 153, and conductive layer 156 forms a second plate of capacitor 153. Insulating layer 155 electrically and physically isolates conductive layer 156 from rear receptacle 154 and forms a dielectric layer for capacitor 153. Dielectric layer 155 may be formed using tape and conductive layer 156 may be formed from a copper tape that may be applied and adhered to the dielectric layer.

As described above, positioning the capacitor 153 at the collet 150 allows the capacitor 153 to sense the voltage potential at the collet 150, wherein the capacitor 153 provides a sensed and reduced voltage at the conductor 157 corresponding to the voltage at the collet 150. The output voltage provided from capacitor 153 at lead 157 may be used to directly or indirectly drive additional circuitry including lighting that may provide a visual indication and/or another form of indication of the presence or absence of a voltage potential at clip 150. For example, capacitor 153 may be an example of capacitor 111 shown and described with respect to fig. 4, and conductor 157 may be an input coupling capacitor 111 to optocoupler 112 and an input of LED driver circuit 118, which controls illumination of a lighting device, such as LED105, based on a sensed and reduced voltage that capacitor 153 may provide at conductor 157.

The dimensions associated with the capacitor 153 are not limited to any particular dimensions and may be based on the size and dimensions of the rear receptacle 154 and by the voltage and current carried by the clip 150. In some examples, the configuration of capacitor 153 as shown in fig. 5B results in a capacitor capacitance of 40 pF.

Fig. 6A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example electrical coupler 160 in accordance with various devices and techniques described in this disclosure. The electrical coupler 160 may be an example of any of the electrical couplers 50 and/or 50A as shown and described with respect to fig. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D. As shown in fig. 6A, the electrical coupler 160 includes terminals 140 mounted in the terminal housings 72, 72A of the front portion 51 of the electrical coupler. In some examples, a sensing device 161 (such as a capacitor similar to capacitor 144 shown and described with respect to fig. 5A or capacitor 153 shown and described with respect to fig. 5B) is disposed adjacent to collet holding terminal 140 and is configured to sense the presence of an electrical potential at collet holding terminal 140. As shown in fig. 6A, the electrical conductors 162 electrically couple the sensing device 161 to circuitry 163 located outside of the extended portion of the terminal housing 72A and within the illumination coupling 52 adjacent to the illumination channel 77.

The circuit 163 can be further coupled to one or more illumination devices (not specifically shown in fig. 6A, but such as the illumination device 78 shown and described with respect to fig. 3A-3C) that can be positioned along the outer surface 164 of the illumination coupling 52 and partially or fully within the illumination channel 77 and below the outermost extensions of the front and rear flanges 75, 76 of the illumination coupling 52. The circuit 163 may be configured to receive the voltage level sensed by the sensing device 161 over the electrical conductor 162 and control the illumination of one or more lighting devices coupled to the circuit 163 based on the level of voltage potential received at the circuit over the electrical conductor 162. As shown in fig. 6A, the combination of the sensing device 161, the electrical conductor 162, the circuitry 163, and the one or more illumination devices coupled to the circuitry 163 may be arranged to sense the voltage potential on the collet holding terminal 140 and provide a visual indication by illuminating the illumination device located in the illumination channel 77 that there is a minimum level voltage potential at the collet and the terminal 140.

Fig. 6A shows only the sensing device, electrical conductors, and circuitry for a single collet/terminal, e.g., representing one phase of a multi-phase electrical configuration to be received, secured, and physically terminated within the electrical coupler 160. However, additional collets, terminals, and/or electrical conductors configured to be received, secured, and/or terminated within the electrical coupler 160 may be provided with additional sets of sensing devices, electrical conductors, and circuits, and are contemplated by the examples of the electrical coupler 160 shown and described below with respect to fig. 6B.

Fig. 6B illustrates a cross-sectional view of an electrical coupler 180 in accordance with example devices and techniques described in this disclosure. The cross-sectional view as shown in fig. 6B can be considered a cross-sectional view "6B" relative to the electrical coupler 160 of fig. 6A. As shown in fig. 6B, the illumination channel 77 surrounds a portion of the outer perimeter of the electrical coupler 180. A first circuit 181A may be associated therewith and may be electrically coupled to receive a voltage input corresponding to a voltage level present on electrical terminal 182A. The first circuit 181A is positioned inside the illumination coupling 52 and between the terminal 182A and the illumination channel 77. The first circuit 181A may be configured to control illumination of one or more illumination devices (not shown in fig. 6B) located within the illumination channel 77 to provide a visual indication of the presence of a minimum level voltage potential on the electrical terminals 182A. Whenever the lighting device is powered by the first circuit 181A, the LEDs controlled by the first circuit 181A may be arranged to provide a visible light emission that is visible when viewing the lighting channel 77.

In a similar manner, a second circuit 181B associated therewith and electrically coupled to receive an electrical input corresponding to a voltage level present on electrical terminal 182B is positioned within illumination coupling 52 and between terminal 182B and illumination channel 77. The second circuit 181B is configured to control illumination of one or more illumination devices (not shown in fig. 6B) located within the illumination channel 77 to provide a visual indication of the presence of a minimum level voltage potential on the electrical terminals 182B. Whenever the lighting device is powered by the second circuit 181B, the LEDs controlled by the second circuit 181B may be arranged to provide a visible light emission that is visible when viewing the lighting channel.

As shown in fig. 6B, a third circuit 181C associated therewith and electrically coupled to receive an electrical input corresponding to a voltage level present on the electrical terminal 182C is positioned within the illumination coupling 52 and between the terminal 182C and the illumination channel 77. The third circuit 181C is configured to control illumination of one or more illumination devices (not shown in fig. 6B) located within the illumination channel 77 to provide a visual indication of the presence of a minimum level voltage potential on the electrical terminals 182C. Whenever the lighting device is powered by the third circuit 181C, the LEDs controlled by the third circuit 181C may be arranged to provide a visible light emission that is visible when viewing the lighting channel.

In some examples, the LEDs controlled by circuits 181A, 181B, and 181C may be arranged in sets or groups around the perimeter of illumination channel 77, as described above, e.g., with respect to LEDs 105, 124, and 134 as shown and described with respect to fig. 4. In some examples, the LEDs controlled by the circuits 181A, 181B, and 181C of fig. 6B may be arranged in sets or groups around the perimeter of the illumination channel and wired together to provide a multi-colored visual indication of which of the terminals 182A, 182B, and 182C is at the minimum level voltage potential, as described above, e.g., with respect to the LEDs 105, 124, and 134 as shown and described with respect to fig. 4.

In various examples, the electrical coupler 180 is configured to receive a set of three electrical conductors intended to provide three-phase power, wherein each of the electrical conductors is intended to carry one phase of the three-phase power, and is coupled to one and only one of the electrical terminals 182A, 182B, and 182C included in the electrical coupler. In these examples, circuits 181A, 181B, and 181C may be arranged to provide a visual indication of the presence and/or absence of a minimum level voltage potential on each of the three electrical conductors. In this manner, the electrical coupler 180 may provide any of the features and may be configured to provide an indication of the presence and/or absence of a voltage potential received within the electrical coupler via one or more of the electrical conductors received within the electrical coupler.

In an alternative example, the electrical coupler 180 includes electrical terminals 182A, 182B, and 182C coupled to electrical circuits 181A, 181B, and 181C as described above. Each of the circuits 181A, 181B and 181C is configured to receive a voltage level indication corresponding to the voltage level present on the electrical terminals 182A, 182B and 182C, respectively, and to control the illumination of one or more lighting devices located partially or fully within the illumination channel 77. In this particular configuration, the electrical coupler 180 is not configured to receive a set of electrical conductors from outside the electrical coupler to be terminated within the electrical coupler, and may include a sealed end opposite the illumination coupler at the body 53 (body 53 as shown in fig. 6A), for example, and/or may not include the cable clamp 54.

Instead of receiving the cable within the body of the electrical coupler, these examples of electrical couplers are designed for use as portable test tools. When used as a portable test tool, the electrical coupler 180 is not coupled to a cable or other electrical conductor received within the body of the coupler, but is intended to be joined to a mating electrical coupler at the front portion 51 of the electrical coupler such that the terminals 182A, 182B, and 182C are electrically coupled to corresponding ones of the mating electrical couplers. Once the electrical coupler used as the portable test tool is coupled to the mating electrical coupler, any voltage potential present on the terminals of the mating electrical coupler will be electrically coupled to the corresponding terminals 182A, 182B, and 182C of the electrical coupler 180.

Thus, the sensing circuit, circuitry and illumination device of the electrical coupler 180 can sense and provide one or more indications, such as a visual indication provided by the illumination device in the illumination channel 77 that indicates the presence or absence of a minimum level voltage potential on the terminals 182A, 182B and 182C. These indications will correspond to the presence and/or absence of a minimum level voltage potential on the corresponding terminal and electrical conductor received in the mating electrical coupler.

By the ability to engage a portable test version of the electrical coupler 180 with other mating electrical couplers, the portable test version of the electrical coupler 180 provides a way to determine the status of voltage potentials that may be present in a mating electrical coupler through an indication provided by the portable test version of the electrical coupler. Further, by not being coupled to the cable itself, or in some examples, to any external power source other than the power provided from the mating electrical coupler, the electrical coupler 180, when configured in the test version, may include only the front portion 51, the illumination coupling 52, and in some examples also the body portion 53, thus allowing such a version of the electrical coupler 180 to be easily carried, for example, by a user or maintenance personnel.

The portability of the test version of the electrical coupler allows the electrical coupler to be easily moved to various locations throughout an area, such as a mining environment or a factory, that utilizes the electrical coupler in an electrical distribution system in order to apply the test version of the electrical coupler 180 to other electrical couplers located throughout the area. Safety and convenience may be enhanced by using a portable electrical coupler as described above for the way a user connects, disconnects and maintains the electrical coupler in an electrical distribution system where a test version of the electrical coupler may be used for any of the reasons described above. This particular form of electrical coupler as described above is not limited to the configuration described above with respect to fig. 6A and 6B, and may incorporate any of the devices and techniques for providing an indication of the presence and/or absence of a voltage potential within an electrical coupler as described throughout this disclosure, as well as any equivalents thereof.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic diagram of an example circuit 190 configured to sense and indicate a voltage potential in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, power supply 191 includes a power output 192, and the power output is coupled to a reference voltage 193. In various examples, power output 192 represents one phase of a single phase power configuration provided by power source 191. In some examples, power output 192 represents one phase of a multi-phase power configuration, such as a three-phase power configuration provided by power supply 191. In various examples, the power provided by power output 192 is a multi-phase AC power configuration having a phase-to-neutral voltage in the range of 2,000Vrms to 8,000 Vrms. In some examples, the voltage may be a multi-phase AC power of 4200 Vrms. However, the voltage and power configuration provided by power supply 191 to power output 192 is not limited to any particular voltage or voltage range, and may be a voltage other than 4200VrmsRMS, and is not limited to any particular electrical configuration or any particular number of phases of power.

As shown in fig. 7, the power output 192 is electrically coupled to the inputs of a set of series-parallel capacitors 194. In some examples, the coupling of the power output 192 to a set of series-parallel connected capacitor banks 194 includes a protection device, such as a fuse as shown in fig. 7, to provide, for example, short circuit and/or overload protection to the circuits and devices coupled to the power output 192. In some examples, the capacitors 194 include NP0 or C0G temperature rated type capacitors, each having a capacitance of 47nF and a rated voltage of 2 kV. As shown in fig. 7, the capacitor 194 includes capacitors C1, C2, and C3 to Cx coupled in series, capacitors C4, C5, and C6 to Cy coupled in series, and capacitors C7, C8, and C9 to Cz coupled in series. The series coupled capacitors C1, C2, and C3 through Cx are coupled in parallel to the capacitors C4, C5, and C6 through Cy, and are also coupled in parallel to the capacitors C7, C8, and C9 through Cz. Capacitors C4, C5, and C6 through Cy are coupled in parallel with capacitors C7, C8, and C9 through Cz. The dashed lines coupling each of capacitors Cx, Cy, and Cz indicate that the number of capacitors that may be included in each of these strings of series-coupled capacitors is not limited to three capacitors, or to a particular number of capacitors, and in some examples, each string of series capacitors may include three, four, or more capacitors. In various examples, the number of capacitors included in each of the series strings of capacitors depends on the voltage level to be provided to the capacitor bank at the power output 192.

The output from a set of series-parallel capacitors 194 is coupled to node 195. Node 195 is also coupled to terminal 1 of four-diode bridge circuit 196. Terminal 3 of bridge circuit 196 is coupled to a reference voltage 193. Terminal 2 of the bridge circuit is coupled to the output 197 of the series-coupled LED 199. Terminal 4 of the bridge circuit is coupled to the output 198 of the series-coupled LED 199.

In various examples, the portion of the circuit 190 that includes the capacitor 194, the bridge circuit 196, and the LED199 is located within and/or provided as part of an electrical coupler, such as the electrical coupler 50 shown in fig. 2A or the electrical coupler 50A shown in fig. 2B. In various examples, the capacitor 194 and the bridge circuit 196 form a circuit that functions as the circuits 66, 67 shown and described in fig. 2A and 2B, and are physically located within a hollow space provided within the body of these electrical couplers. In various examples, the LEDs 199 are partially or fully located within an illumination channel, such as the illumination channel 77 shown and described with respect to fig. 2A, or the illumination channel 92 shown and described with respect to fig. 2B. The LEDs 199 may be used as a lighting device in any example of an electrical coupler described throughout this disclosure, as a lighting device or any equivalent thereof.

In operation, when power supply 191 provides a medium voltage potential, such as 4200Vrms, at power output 192, that voltage is coupled to the input of capacitor 194. When a medium voltage potential is provided at the power output 192, the capacitor 194 will act as a capacitive ballast and provide a reduced voltage, such as a voltage in the range of 10 to 50 volts. This reduced voltage is applied to terminal 1 of bridge circuit 196. The bridge circuit is configured to provide a full wave rectified output between terminal 2 and terminal 4 of the bridge circuit when there is a low voltage output at node 195 and terminal 1 of the bridge circuit. The rectified output from the bridge circuit is applied between the input 197 and the output 198 of the LED199 and will result in a current through the LED199 which causes the LED199 to be illuminated.

The LEDs 199 can be placed around the perimeter of the illumination coupling, for example within the illumination channel of the electrical coupler, and provide a visual indication of the presence of a medium voltage potential at the electrical conductors and/or terminals coupled to the power source 191 through the power output 192. For example, illumination of the LED199 may provide a visual indication that a medium voltage potential is present at the power output 192.

By coupling the input of the capacitor 194 to a portion of an electrical conductor or to a terminal within an electrical coupler coupled to the power output 192, the circuit 190 can be used to sense a voltage potential at the electrical conductor or terminal to which the input is coupled and provide a visual indication when the voltage potential is actually present on the electrical conductor and/or terminal within the electrical coupler. In various examples, the electronic circuit 190 including the capacitor 194 and the bridge circuit 196 may be embedded in a resin or potting to insulate the electronic circuit 190 from high voltage and further protect the electronic circuit 190 from mechanical shock. The electronic circuit 190 may be referred to as a "direct line driver" circuit because the power used by the sensing circuit and any circuitry used to control and power the illumination of the LED199 to detect the high voltage potential at the electrical coupler is derived from the high potential itself and the circuitry can be operated or the LED powered without an additional external power source.

In some examples, the total capacitance Ctot of the capacitor bank 194 may be calculated using the following equation:

ctot ═ Np. C/Ns equation (1)

Wherein:

c is the capacitance of each capacitor in the capacitor bank and has the same capacitance value;

np is the number of series-coupled strings of capacitors coupled in parallel with each other; and is

Ns is the number of series capacitors within a given series-coupled string of capacitors.

Considering that the voltage drop across the electrical bridge circuit 196 is negligible and is therefore not considered in the calculation, the current Iled supplied through the LED199 may be used with the angular frequency ω of the input power supplied to the capacitor bank 194, and the total capacitance may also be calculated as follows:

ctot Np · C/Ns lie/(ω Vline) formula (2)

Wherein:

iled is the current through LED199 in amperes

ω is angular frequency in hertz; and is

Vline is the voltage to be applied to the input of the capacitor bank 194.

The number Ns of series capacitances is determined by the nominal voltage Vcmax of each capacitor C, so that:

ns > (Vline √ 2)/Vcmax equation (3)

Where Vline is understood to be the root mean square value.

In operation, the capacitor will dissipate some energy due to its equivalent series resistance ESR. Some manufacturers of capacitors specify the dissipation factor DF by the following formula

DF ═ ω C · ESR equation (4)

The power Pc dissipated in each capacitor can be given by the following equation:

Pc＝(Iled/Np)²ESR<PcMax equation (5)

For small capacitors, its upper limit Pcmax is, for example, 250 mW.

As an example, a C-3.6 nF ceramic capacitor with Vcmax of 2kV may be used to set up a ballast for a 50Hz line voltage Vline of 4.2kV and configured to provide the desired LED current Iled of 480 mA. The manufacturer of such capacitors specifies a DF of 0.1% or 1e-3, resulting in an ESR of 884 Ω. Using equation (3), Ns is 4. Using equation (5), Pc ≈ 1.3 mW. In some examples, the design sequence for determining how to configure the capacitor bank 194 includes:

selecting an available C with a certain VCmax and ESR and a given Iled and Vline;

determining a required capacitance ballast Ctot according to a formula (2);

determining Ns according to equation (3);

determining Np according to equation (2); and is

It is checked whether the dissipated power inequality is satisfied using equation (4). If not, a different C is selected and repeated.

Fig. 8A illustrates an electrical schematic diagram of an example sensing circuit 200 in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure. The sensing circuit 200 may be used in an electrical coupler, such as, for example, the electrical coupler 50 shown and described with respect to fig. 2A and 3A-3D, and such as, for example, the electrical coupler 50A shown and described with respect to fig. 2B. The sensing circuit 200 may be used as a sensing portion of a circuit for controlling the illumination of one or more lighting devices associated with providing an indication of the presence of a minimum level voltage potential on an electrical conductor or terminal received, secured and/or terminated within an electrical coupler. In some examples, the sensing circuit 200 may form part of the circuits 66, 67 as shown and described with respect to fig. 2A and 2B.

As shown in fig. 8A, the input 201 may be an electrical conductor, such as a wire, configured to be electrically coupled to a portion of a power electrical conductor, such as the electrical conductor 102, 122, or 132 shown and described with respect to fig. 4, received at an electrical coupler, such as the electrical coupler 50 or the electrical coupler 50A. As shown in fig. 8A, the input 201 is coupled to a first side 202A of a set of series-coupled capacitors 202. The series coupled capacitor 202 includes an output 202B at an opposite end of the series coupled capacitor from the input 202A. Output 202B is coupled to node 203. The node 203 is coupled to an electrical conductor 204, such as a conductive metal wire. The node 203 is also coupled to a pair of series coupled diodes 205, 206. Node 203 is coupled to the cathode of diode 205 and the anode of diode 205 is coupled to the anode of diode 206. The cathode of diode 206 is coupled to output 207. The output 207 may comprise an electrical conductor such as a metal wire. Output 207 may be coupled to a reference voltage, such as reference voltage 103, to provide a reference voltage relative to the voltage potential to be coupled to input 201. Diodes 205 and 206 are zener diodes coupled in an anti-series clamp arrangement as described above.

In operation, when a high or medium voltage potential is provided at an electrical conductor, such as electrical conductors 102, 122, 132, coupled to input 201, the voltage potential is coupled to input 202A of capacitor 202 through input 201. The capacitor 202 provides diodes 205, 206 for the reactive capacitance ballast circuit with respect to the reference voltage 103 coupled to the output 207. In various examples, the fractional voltage provided at node 203 is a much smaller voltage, e.g., in the peak range of 2 to 50 volts, than a value that can provide hundreds or thousands of volts at input 201 due to the voltage division that occurs across capacitor 202 and diodes 205, 206. Electrical leads 204 coupled to node 203 provide the reduced voltage present across diodes 205, 206 between node 203 and output 207, as well as the output voltage. Since the voltage provided at node 203 is reduced even though a much larger voltage is provided at input 201, the output voltage appearing at node 203 and on electrical lead 204 can be used to directly or indirectly power the circuitry and lighting device that provides a visual indication of the voltage potential present at input 201 when the lighting device is illuminated.

In an example configuration of sensor circuit 200, a series coupled capacitor 202 is formed using 11 series connected 2kV, 3.6 nano-farad (nF) capacitors that provide an effective capacitance of approximately 300 picofarads (pF), resulting in a reactive current in the range of approximately 1 milliamp when a line voltage of 10kV, 60Hz is applied to input 201. One example of a capacitor that may be used to provide a coupled capacitor is a device such as manufactured by KEMET corporation of 2835KEMETWAy, Simpson Will, south Carolina

Part number 399-. Diodes 205, 206 comprise two 3.4 volt zener diodes to provide an output voltage in the range of 4 volts to 4.5 volts at node 203 and electrical conductor 204.

The number, capacitance, and operating voltage range of capacitors 202 used to form the series capacitance are not limited to any particular number or type of capacitors, and may be configured using a positive number of capacitors, each having a capacitance and an operating voltage range, to provide a level of reactive voltage division at node 203 based on a particular voltage potential or voltage potential range to be provided at input 201. In addition, diodes 205, 206 comprise zener diodes configured to provide a voltage across the diodes within a range configured to provide a desired voltage level output at node 203 relative to a reference voltage intended to be coupled to reference voltage 103 and based on an expected voltage or voltage range intended to be coupled to input 201 of sensing circuit 200. In various examples, the low voltage provided across the combination of diodes 205, 206, and thus provided at node 203, may be in the range of 5 to 25 volts.

Additionally, in some examples, the diodes 205, 206 may comprise a single rectifying element or varistor, or in alternative examples, the diodes 205, 206 may comprise one or more serially coupled diodes arranged such that the combined voltage provided across the diodes 205, 206 provides a desired low voltage level at the node 203. The orientation of the diodes 205, 206 as shown in fig. 8A ensures that at least one of the diodes will be forward biased and one of the diodes will be reverse biased regardless of the polarity of the high or medium voltage provided at the input 201 relative to a reference voltage coupled to the output 207. In this manner, substantially the same voltage level output is provided at node 203 and electrical conductor 204 regardless of the polarity of the voltage provided at input 201, thereby assuming that input voltages of any polarity provided at input 201 have the same voltage level value, e.g., the same peak voltage level value at input 201, regardless of the polarity of the input voltage.

Fig. 8B illustrates a layout diagram of an example sensing circuit 200 in accordance with example devices and techniques described in this disclosure. As shown in fig. 8B, the capacitor 202 and diodes 205, 206 of the sensing circuit are mounted to a substrate 210, such as a circuit board. An electrical lead is coupled to the input 201 and a capacitor 202 is electrically coupled in series to the diodes 205, 206. An electrical conductor is electrically coupled to node 203 and another electrical conductor is electrically coupled to output 207. In various examples, the capacitor 202 and the diodes 205 and 206 are physically arranged in a linear arrangement along a longitudinal dimension 208 of the substrate 210. Substrate 210 also includes a width dimension 209 perpendicular to and coplanar with longitudinal dimension 208. In some examples, the longitudinal dimension 208 may have a value in a range of 25 centimeters to 50 centimeters (cm), and the width dimension 209 may have a value in a range of 2.5cm to 5 cm.

Also shown in FIG. 8B is a tubular structure 211, such as tubular structure 211 made of, for example

Or a dielectric material of polycarbonate. The tubular structure 211 may include an outer wall surrounding a hollow opening through the tubular structure 211 along the entire longitudinal axis 212. The length dimension of the tubular structure 211 may have a value greater than the longitudinal dimension 208 of the sensing circuit 200, and the cross-section of the hollow opening of the tubular structure 211 may have a circular shape, and the inner diameter 213 has a value greater than the width diameter 209 of the sensing circuit 200. The tubular structure 211 may be sized such that the sensing circuit 200 may be received within a hollow opening within the tubular structure such that an outer wall of the tubular structure surrounds the substrate 210 at least along the longitudinal dimension 208. An opening 211A at a first end of the tubular structure 211 may be used to allow an electrical conductor coupled to the input 201 to extend through the opening 211A and outside the hollow opening of the tubular structure. An opening 211B at a second end of the tubular structure 211 may be used to allow the electrical conductor 204 coupled to the node 203 and the electrical conductor coupled to the output 207 to extend through the opening 211B and to an area outside the hollow opening of the tubular structure.

Once the sensing circuitry 200 is received within the tubular structure 211 and the electrical conductors coupled to the input 201, node 203 and output 207 have been extended to the area outside the tubular structure, some, most or all of the hollow opening in the wall of the tubular structure may be filled with a potting or sealing compound, such as Sylgard 160 silicon elastomer manufactured by Dow Corning Corporation, Corporation Center 2200w. salzburg Rd., Auburn Michigan, austin, to secure and protect the sensing circuitry within the tubular structure.

The shape of the tubular structure is not limited to any particular shape or any particular shape of cross-section relative to the longitudinal axis and may be any shape configured to enclose the sensing circuit 200 while allowing the electrical leads coupled to the input 201, node 203 and output 207 to extend to an area outside the tubular structure. Other cross-sectional shapes such as square, rectangular, triangular and/or oval, are contemplated for one or more portions of the tubular structure.

Fig. 8C illustrates a circuit assembly 220 in accordance with example devices and techniques described in this disclosure. As shown in fig. 8, sensing circuit 200 formed on substrate 210 has been received within the hollow opening of tubular structure 211, and electrical leads coupled to input 201 extend from tubular structure 211 through opening 211A, and electrical leads coupled to node 203 and output 207 extend from tubular structure 211 through opening 211B. One or more examples of the circuit assembly 220 may be mounted and electrically coupled within the electrical coupler to provide a sensing circuit for sensing an electrical potential at a portion of one or more electrical conductors received within the electrical coupler and providing a low level voltage output corresponding to the sensed voltage potential, which may be used to directly or indirectly control one or more indicating devices, such as LEDs, to provide an indication of the presence and/or absence of the sensed voltage potential at the input 201 of the assembly 220.

Fig. 9A illustrates a perspective view of an illumination coupling 52 according to example apparatus and techniques described in this disclosure. Fig. 9B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the illumination coupling 52 illustrated in fig. 9A. As shown in fig. 9A and 9B, the illumination coupling 52 includes a front flange 75 and a rear flange 76 separated by an illumination channel 77. The illumination channel 77 is formed by a cylindrical wall structure having a cylindrical outer surface 77A surrounding an inner space 77B, the inner space 77B having a three-dimensional cylindrical shape. Front flange 75 comprises a cylindrical flange that surrounds a portion of interior space 77B and is located at front edge 77C of illumination channel 77. The rear flange 76 includes a cylindrical flange that surrounds a portion of the interior space 77B and is located at a rear edge 77D of the illumination channel 77. Each of the front flange 75, the illumination channel 77, and the rear flange 76 surrounds a hollow passage forming an interior space 77B. The cross-section of the hollow channel forming the interior space 77B may have a circular shape that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 55 through the hollow passageway.

In various examples, the front flange 75 extends beyond the outer surface 77A relative to the longitudinal axis 55 to form a front sidewall 75A of the illumination channel 77 that extends away from the outer surface 77A and, in some examples, perpendicular to the outer surface 77A. The rear flange 76 may extend beyond the outer surface 77A relative to the longitudinal axis 55 to form a rear sidewall 76B of the illumination channel 77, the rear sidewall 76A extending away from the outer surface 77A and, in some examples, perpendicular to the outer surface 77A.

The outer surface 77A may include a slot 77F having a width extending across a portion of the outer surface 77A between the front 75A and rear 76A side walls of the illumination channel. The groove 77F has a depth extending from the outer surface 77A toward the longitudinal axis 55, in some examples surrounding a portion of the illumination channel 77 around a perimeter of the outer surface 77A. In various examples, the depth dimension of the groove 77F is less than the thickness of the illumination channel between the outer surface 77A and the interior space 77B such that the bottom surface of the groove 77F does not extend into the hollow opening of the interior space 77B.

In some examples, the front flange 75 includes a plurality of holes 75typ that include openings through the front sidewall 75A and the flange 75 to allow fasteners, such as machine screws, to be received within the openings to mechanically couple the front flange 75 to a front portion of an electrical coupler, such as the front portion 51 of the electrical coupler 50 as shown and described with respect to fig. 2A and 2B. As shown in fig. 9A and 9B, in some examples, the rear flange 76 includes a plurality of holes 76typ that include openings through the rear sidewall 76A and the rear flange 76 to allow fasteners, such as machine screws, to be received in the openings to mechanically couple the rear flange 76 to the body of the electrical coupler. The interior space 77B provides a pathway through the illumination coupling 52 that can receive and allow one or more electrical conductors of a cable received in the electrical coupler to pass through the illumination coupling 52 between the body and the front portion of the electrical coupler into which the illumination coupling can be incorporated. Additionally, the interior space 77B may also receive other portions of the electrical coupler. For example, when the illumination coupling 52 is incorporated as part of an electrical coupler, a portion of the terminal housing in which the front portion of the electrical coupler is disposed can extend into the interior space 77B.

Further, the shape, size, and placement of the openings 75typ of the front flange 75 are not limited to the shape, size, and placement of the openings shown in fig. 9A and 9B, and may be configured using other shapes, sizes, and other patterns of openings that conform to a portion of the front portion of the electrical coupler with which the lighting coupling 52 is intended to be mechanically coupled. Similarly, the shape, size, placement of the opening 76type of the rear flange 76 is not limited to the shape, size, and/or placement of the opening 76type as shown in fig. 9A, and can be configured using other shapes, sizes, and other placements of the opening to conform to a portion of the body of an electrical coupler with which the rear flange 76 of the illumination coupling is intended to be mechanically coupled.

In various examples, a lighting device, such as an LED, may be secured within the lighting channel 77, for example, by placement within the slot 77F, or secured to the side walls 75A and/or 76A of the front and rear flanges, respectively. The lighting devices can be routed as a wiring harness provided as a wiring harness that extends to all lighting devices located in the lighting channel 77 and from the lighting channel to the interior space 77B of the lighting coupling 52 through an opening 77G that extends from the exterior surface 77A to the interior space 77B. The wiring harness couples wiring from the LEDs located in the illumination channel to one or more circuits (such as the circuits 66, 67 shown and described with respect to fig. 2A and 2B, or the LED driver device shown and described with respect to fig. 4), or for example, to the sensing circuit 200 shown and described with respect to fig. 8A-8C. Any of these circuits can be used to control the illumination of an illumination device, which can be disposed within the illumination channel 77 of the illumination coupling 52 as shown in fig. 9A and 9B.

Fig. 9B further illustrates a possible viewing angle of the illumination channel 77, when incorporated into an electrical coupler, such as the electrical coupler 50 shown and described with respect to fig. 2A and 3A-3D, may provide visibility of light emissions produced by one or more illumination devices partially or fully included within the illumination channel. As shown in fig. 9B, the longitudinal axis 55 is perpendicular to a plane indicated by dashed line 56, wherein the plane 56 is oriented parallel to the first and second flanges 75, 76 and is located between the first and second flanges 75, 76. Fig. 9B shows a plane 56 looking into the edge of the plane. The viewing angle perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 55 may illustratively be shown as a viewing angle looking directly at the edge of the plane 56, for example as shown by arrow 56A in fig. 9B. These perpendicular viewing angles may exist for any viewing angle of plane 56 perpendicular to longitudinal axis 55 around the entire perimeter of illumination channel 77 around longitudinal axis 55.

Additionally, other viewing angles 56B, 56C of the illumination channel 77 may also provide viewing angles that provide visibility of light emissions produced by one or more illumination devices partially or fully included within the illumination channel. For example, an elevation angle 56D relative to the plane 56 and extending away from the plane 56 toward the front flange 75 may provide an additional viewing angle for light emission from the illumination channel, as indicated by arrow 56B. In addition, an elevation angle 56E relative to the plane 56 and extending away from the plane 56 toward the rear flange 76 may provide an additional viewing angle for light emission from the illumination channel, as indicated by arrow 56C. As shown in fig. 9B, these additional viewing angles may extend for any of these viewing angles around a portion or all of the entire perimeter of illumination channel 77 around longitudinal axis 55 at a height relative to plane 56.

Various factors (such as the positioning of the illumination device within the illumination channel 77, the intensity of the light emission, the reflectivity of the outer surface 77A, the front sidewall 75A, and/or the rear sidewall 76A, and the light transmission characteristics of any covering or filling material provided within the illumination channel) may contribute to and/or control the range of elevation angles that may provide visibility of the light emission provided by the illumination device partially or fully located within the illumination channel. In various examples, elevation angle 56D may comprise an elevation angle of up to at least eighty-five degrees, and elevation angle 56E may comprise an elevation angle of up to at least eighty-five degrees. As such, the overall configuration of the illumination coupling 52, in conjunction with one or more of the above factors, may allow for visibility of light emission from the illumination channel within a viewing angle range of approximately one hundred and eighty degrees relative to the longitudinal axis 55.

Fig. 9C illustrates a side view of the example illumination coupling illustrated in fig. 9A. The side view shown in fig. 9C shows the illuminated coupling looking into the front flange 75. The length dimension shown in fig. 9C is in millimeters. These length dimensions and angle values shown in fig. 9C are intended as non-limiting examples of dimensions and angle values that may be used to form the illumination coupling 52. Other lengths and/or angular dimensions are possible and various examples are contemplated for forming illumination couplings according to the devices and techniques described in this disclosure.

Fig. 9D illustrates another side view of the example illumination coupling illustrated in fig. 9A. The side view shown in fig. 9D illustrates the illuminated coupling looking toward the rear flange 76. The illumination coupling 52 shown and described with respect to any of fig. 9A-9D can be provided as a component that is initially incorporated into an electrical coupler provided by a manufacturer of the electrical coupler. In other examples, the illumination coupling 52 shown and described with respect to fig. 9A-9D can be provided as can be used to retrofit a portion of an existing electrical coupler that was not originally provided with an illumination coupling or illumination channel. The flange arrangement of the illumination coupling 52 can be configured in various sizes and/or aperture configurations to allow versions of the illumination coupling to be used to retrofit any number of different types, sizes, and styles of electrical couplers. In some examples, these modified versions of the illumination coupling can include illumination devices that are pre-positioned and pre-wired within an illumination channel of the illumination coupling. In some examples, these modified versions of the lighting coupling may include one or more circuits that may or may not be pre-wired to the lighting device.

Fig. 10A illustrates an example illumination channel ring 230 in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure. The ring 230 may be an example of one or both of the rings 90, 91 as shown and described with respect to fig. 2B, and is used to form one of a pair of sidewalls around an exterior portion of the body of the electrical coupler for an illumination channel, such as the illumination channel 92 as shown and described with respect to fig. 2B. As shown in fig. 10A, the ring 230 comprises a circular material having an outer surface 230A separated from a parallel inner surface 230B by a pair of parallel sidewalls 230C and 230D extending between the outer surface 230A and the inner surface 230B. As shown in fig. 10A, surface 230D faces away from the line of sight of ring 90 and is therefore not visible in fig. 10A. The outer surface 230A includes a width dimension that extends between the sidewalls 230C, 230D and forms a perimeter around the longitudinal axis 55 of the ring. The inner surface 230B includes a width dimension that extends between the sidewalls 230C, 230D and forms a circular perimeter around the longitudinal axis 55 within the perimeter formed by the outer surface 230A.

A plurality of fasteners 238 (e.g., including set screws) may be positioned around a perimeter of the ring 230 extending through the outer surface 230A and configured to extend through the ring 230 and the inner surface 230B so as to bring a portion (such as a tip of each of the fasteners 238) into contact with the outer surface 80 of the body of the electrical coupler to secure the ring 230 when positioned at a desired location along the body of the electrical coupler. The fastener 238 is configured such that the fastener secures and holds the ring 230 in a fixed position relative to the longitudinal axis of the electrical coupler on the body of the electrical coupler. In addition, the cutouts 233, 234 extend into the ring 230 from the inner surface 230B toward the outer surface 230A and engage similarly shaped ridges on the outer surface of the coupler and prevent the ring 230 from rotating about the longitudinal axis of the body of the electrical coupler once the ring 230 is positioned on the body of the electrical coupler.

In some examples, the dimensional value of the inner diameter of inner surface 230B at inner sidewall 230C may be less than the dimensional value of the inner diameter of inner surface 230B at outer sidewall 230D. The difference in these dimensional values is configured to provide a "sloped surface" relative to the inner surface 230B relative to the sidewalls 230C, 230D that matches the taper angle formed by the outer surface of the body of the electrical coupler in the region of the body of the ring 230 to be positioned. By providing a sloped surface, the inner surface 230B can be brought into contact with the outer surface of the body portion of the electrical coupler to which the ring 230 will be mounted along substantially the entire inner surface 230B.

As shown in fig. 10A, the sidewall 230C may be used to secure a plurality of lighting devices 235 in place. The plurality of illumination devices 235 may be coupled to the sensing circuitry (not shown in fig. 10A), or to the sensing circuitry and additional electronic circuitry (not shown in fig. 10A) configured to sense one or more voltage potentials and control illumination of the illumination devices 235 to provide a visual indication corresponding to the sensed voltage potentials. As shown in fig. 10A, electrical connections, such as wires, may extend along the interior sidewall 230C to electrically couple the lighting device 235 to sensing circuitry and/or LED driver circuitry, as well as other circuitry configured to control the illumination of the lighting device 235 through the wiring harness 235B. In various examples, the wire harness 235B extends from the lighting channel through an opening in the body of the electrical coupler mounted with the loop 230 and provides sensing circuitry and/or circuitry that electrically couples the lighting device 235 to control the lighting of the lighting device within the body and/or front portion of the electrical coupler.

Further, when creating the illumination channel using a ring mounted over an outer portion of the body of the electrical coupler, the second ring may be mounted adjacent to the first ring 230 at a distance from the ring 230 relative to the longitudinal axis of the electrical coupler, the distance between the ring 230 and the second ring forming the width of the illumination channel. The second ring may also have an inclined inner surface as described above for inner surface 230B of ring 230. However, since the second ring will be mounted at different positions along the body having different outer surface dimensions relative to the position at which the ring 230 is to be mounted, the inner dimension of the second ring may be different, e.g., a smaller value, than the value of the inner dimension of the ring 230. The difference in size allows for spacing between the rings that can be used to form the illumination channels, as further described below with respect to fig. 10B. The ring 230 may be mounted on the electrical coupler such that the sidewall 230C faces a second ring mounted on the coupler to position the illumination device 235 in an illumination channel formed between the two rings.

Fig. 10B shows an example of a pair of rings 90, 91 mounted on the body 53 of an electrical coupler to form an illumination channel 92 in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure. As shown in fig. 10B, the ring 90 is positioned to surround a portion of the outer surface 80 of the body 53 of the electrical coupler. The rear flange 82 of the body has an outer surface with a smaller cross-sectional diameter relative to the longitudinal axis 55 than the cross-sectional diameter of the outer surface 80 at the front flange 81 of the body. In the example shown in fig. 10B, the cross-sectional dimension of the outer surface 80 relative to the longitudinal axis 55 increases from the rear flange 82 to the front flange 81, forming an inclined surface between the flanges relative to the longitudinal axis.

The inner surface 90A of the ring 90 is sized to include an inclined surface relative to the longitudinal axis 55 that matches the dimensions of the inclined surface and the outer surface 80 at a location 90B along the body 53. Additionally, ring 90 may also include a cut-out having a size, shape, and cut-out location along the inner surface of ring 90 to accommodate ridges X and Y extending from outer surface 80 at location 90B of body 53. When installed on the body 53, the inner surface 90A of the ring 90 is sized and shaped such that substantially all of the inner surface 90A of the ring 90 may be in physical contact with a portion of the outer surface 80 of the body 53 at location 90B.

In a similar manner, the inner surface 91A of the ring 91 may be sized to include an inclined surface relative to the longitudinal axis 55 that matches the dimensions of the inclined surface and the outer surface 80 at a location 91B along the body 53. Additionally, ring 91 may further include a cut-out having a size, shape, and location along an inner surface 91A of ring 91 to accommodate ridges X and Y extending from outer surface 80 at location 91B of body 53. When installed on the body 53, the inner surface of the ring 91 is sized and shaped such that substantially all of the inner surface of the ring 91 may be in physical contact with a portion of the outer surface 80 of the body 53 at location 91B.

By providing specific dimensions to both the inner surfaces of the ring 90 and the ring 91, the location of contact between the inner surfaces 90A, 91A of the rings and the outer surface 80 of the body 53 may be predetermined such that the final positioning of the rings 90 and 91 relative to the body 53 and to each other may also be predefined. For example, by providing the inner surface of the ring 90 with a predefined shape and size, the position 90B along the longitudinal axis 55 may be predefined as the position 90B of the body 53 when the body 53 is received within the ring 90 and the ring 90 is advanced towards the front flange 81 to the maximum possible position that the size of the inner surface 90A and the size of the outer surface 80 can allow. Similarly, by providing the inner surface 91A of the ring 91 with a predefined shape and size, the position 91A along the longitudinal axis 55 may be predefined as the position 91B of the body 53 when the body 53 is received within the ring 91 and the ring 91 is advanced towards the front portion 81 to the maximum possible position that the size of the inner surface 91B and the size of the outer surface 80 can allow.

By designing the rings 90 and 91 as described above to be in the assumed positions 90B and 91B, respectively, the position of the illumination channel 92 relative to the body 53 is also predefined when fully advanced onto the body 53. In addition, the spacing between the rings 90 and 91 when fully advanced onto the body 53 also defines the width of the illumination channel 92. The height of the side walls of the rings 90 and 91 may also define the depth of the illumination channel 92. However, as shown in fig. 10B, the outermost surface of illumination channel 92 may be below the outermost surfaces of rings 90 and 91 with respect to the longitudinal axis. This arrangement allows the portions of the rings 90 and 91 that extend beyond the outermost surface of the illumination channel to provide physical protection for the illumination channel and the illumination device located within the illumination channel. The extended outer surfaces of the rings 90 and 91 may not be equal, as indicated by the dashed line 93, to conform to the taper of the outer surface 80 of the body 53. By matching the level variation of the outer surface 80 to the uneven level of the outer surface of the rings 90, 91, the level of stress exerted on the body 53 may be reduced, for example, when the electrical coupler is placed on a relatively flat surface such as a ground surface. These unequal outer surfaces may reduce the level of stress placed on the body 53 when the electrical conductor is placed on a horizontal surface, such as the ground or a paved surface, such as the floor of a road or building. In the example shown in fig. 10B, the wires coupled to the lighting device may comprise a wire harness that is guided through an opening in the outer surface 80 of the body 53 somewhere within the portion of the outer surface surrounded by the lighting channel.

Because the loops 90 and 91 are configured to mount on the body of the electrical coupler, the loops may be provided in pairs that are designed, shaped, and sized to mount on the body of an existing electrical coupler so as to retrofit an existing electrical coupler to include an illumination channel and an illumination device within the illumination channel that may provide a visual indication of the presence of a voltage potential on an electrical coupler received, secured, and/or terminated within the retrofitted electrical coupler. The rings 90, 91, the lighting device, and one or more circuits configured to control the illumination of the lighting device based on the voltage potential detected at one or more of the electrical conductors or terminals received, secured, and/or terminated within the electrical coupler may be mounted on the electrical coupler to retrofit the electrical coupler to provide the features and perform the functions of the electrical coupler 50A shown and described with respect to fig. 2B.

The illumination channel 92 may be filled with a transparent or translucent filler, such as a potting compound such as silicon, or with a rigid or semi-flexible transparent plastic material such as

A translucent insert of material. An example of an illumination insert for an illumination channel is further shown and described below with respect to fig. 11. In some examples, a pair of rings 90, 91 configured to sense voltage potentials and control illumination of a lighting device based on these sensed voltage potentials, a plurality of pre-wired lighting devices, and one or more electrical control circuits may be provided as a kit for retrofitting an existing electrical coupler. The kit can be configured to allow existing electrical couplers to be upgraded with the kit to provide one or more of the features and to allow the electrical couplers to perform one or more of the functions described throughout this disclosure with respect to the voltage sensing device and sensing circuitry, the lighting coupling, the lighting device, and the lighting channel.

The kit may be provided in a wide variety of configurations for annular shapes and sizes and for various types of electrical circuits and/or lighting devices that may be provided with the kit in order to accommodate various different sizes and shapes of electrical couplers to operate on a variety of different electrical parameters for voltage, current carrying capacity, and/or number of conductors that the electrical coupler is designed to connect and disconnect.

Fig. 10B further illustrates a possible viewing angle of the illumination channel 92, which when incorporated into an electrical coupler, such as the electrical coupler 50A shown and described with respect to fig. 2B, may provide visibility of light emissions produced by one or more illumination devices partially or fully included within the illumination channel. As shown in fig. 10B, longitudinal axis 55 is perpendicular to a plane indicated by dashed line 95, where plane 95 is oriented parallel to and between rings 90 and 91. Fig. 10B shows a plane 95 looking at the edge of the plane. The viewing angle perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 55 may illustratively be shown as a viewing angle looking directly at the edge of the plane 95, for example as shown by arrow 95A in fig. 10B. These perpendicular viewing angles may exist for any viewing angle of a plane 95 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 55 around the entire perimeter of the illumination channel 92 around the longitudinal axis 55.

Additionally, other viewing angles 95B, 95C of the illumination channel 92 may also provide viewing angles that provide visibility of light emissions produced by one or more illumination devices partially or fully included within the illumination channel. For example, an elevation angle 95D relative to plane 95 and extending away from plane 56 toward ring 91 may provide additional viewing angles for light emission from the illumination channels, as indicated by arrow 95B. In addition, an elevation angle 95E relative to plane 95 and extending away from plane 95 toward ring 90 may provide additional viewing angles for light emission from the illumination channels, as indicated by arrow 95C. As shown in fig. 10B, these additional viewing angles may extend for any of these viewing angles around a portion or all of the entire perimeter of the illumination channel 92 around the longitudinal axis 55 at a height relative to the plane 95.

Various factors (such as the positioning of the illumination device within the illumination channel 92, the intensity of the light emission, the reflectivity of the surface of the body 53 located between the rings 90, 91, the reflectivity of the sidewall portions comprising the rings 90, 91 within the illumination channel, and the light transmission characteristics of any covering or filling material provided within the illumination channel) may contribute to and/or control the range of elevation angles that may provide visibility of the light emission provided by the illumination device partially or fully located within the illumination channel. In various examples, elevation angle 95D may include elevation angles up to at least eighty-five degrees, and elevation angle 95C may include elevation angles up to at least eighty-five degrees. As such, the overall configuration of the illumination channel 92, coupled with one or more of the factors described above, may allow for visibility of light emission from the illumination channel over a range of viewing angles approaching one hundred and eighty degrees relative to the longitudinal axis 55. In various examples, elevation angle 95D may have a maximum viewing angle that is different from (e.g., greater in value than) a maximum viewing angle of elevation angle 95E due to the difference in distance of the outer perimeters of rings 90, 91 relative to longitudinal axis 55.

Fig. 11 illustrates an example lighting insert 250 in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure. In various examples, the lighting insert 250 is the lighting insert 79 shown and described with respect to fig. 3D. The lighting insert 250 as shown in fig. 11 may be installed in any of the lighting channels described throughout this disclosure, or any equivalent thereof, to perform one or more functions related to the lighting device, including providing physical protection for the lighting device located within the lighting channel in which the lighting insert 250 is installed.

As shown in fig. 11, the lighting insert 250 includes an outer surface 250A, the outer surface 250A having a width and forming a perimeter extending around a longitudinal axis 255 extending through the lighting insert 250. The lighting insert 250 also includes an inner surface 250B coupled to the outer surface 250A by a first sidewall 250C and a second sidewall 250D, the inner surface 250B having a width and forming a perimeter around the longitudinal axis 255 at one or more distances less than one or more distances of the perimeter of the outer surface 250A. The sidewalls 250C and 250D may form walls that lie in separate parallel planes that are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 255. The inner surface 250B may form a perimeter around an opening 251 that extends through the width of the outer surface 250A and the width of the inner surface 205B of the lighting insert 250.

In some examples, the lighting insert 250 further includes one or more joints 245A, 245B positioned around a perimeter of the lighting insert 250 and configured to allow the first portion 254C of the ring 250 to couple with the second portion of the ring 250. In some examples, the joints 245A, 245B are releasable joints configured to allow the first portion 245C and the second portion 245D to be physically attached together such that the lighting insert 250 may be installed within the lighting channel and over a lighting device already in place within the lighting channel. The lighting insert 250 may comprise a transparent or translucent material that allows light generated by the lighting device to be emitted through the lighting insert 250 and visible outside of the lighting channel. In some examples, the lighting insert 250 may function as a light pipe and transmit light emissions for one or more lighting devices to other locations around the perimeter of the outer surface 250A of the lighting insert to help provide light emissions to all portions of the illumination channel around the body of the electrical coupler. In some examples, the lighting insert 250 performs a light mixing function by mixing wavelengths of different colors of light emitted by different lighting devices located within the lighting channel to provide light emission from the lighting channel in which the lighting insert is installed having one or more wavelengths including the mixed wavelengths.

In some examples, the insert provides light mixing for color development purposes and light uniformity by incorporating extraction features or diffusion characteristics into the surface of the insert and/or the bulk matrix. These features of the insert may be useful if the lighting devices providing colored light emission are not co-located at the same location (e.g., on the same mold) within the illumination channel. In some examples, an illumination channel included in the illumination coupling or formed using a ring on the body of the electrical coupler can include a plurality of illumination devices, such as LEDs, disposed on a colored band that provide color for light emission provided by the illumination devices. The colored bands can be filled in the illumination channels with a transparent resin that further protects the illumination device. In some examples, the resin used to fill the illumination channel above the illumination device may be transparent and/or translucent and impart a color to the light emission emitted by the illumination device to provide a color or color mixture to the light emission exiting the illumination channel.

Fig. 12 shows a flowchart of an example method 300 in accordance with the devices and techniques described in this disclosure. Although the method 300 is described below as being performed by the electrical coupler 50 as shown and described with respect to, for example, fig. 2A and 3A-3D, the example method 300 is not limited to the example implementation shown with respect to the electrical coupler 50. In various examples, the techniques and apparatus of the examples of the method 300 may be implemented in whole or in part by other variations of the electrical coupler described throughout this disclosure and any equivalents thereof (such as the electrical coupler 50A described and illustrated with respect to fig. 2B and fig. 10A and 10B).

In various examples of the method 300, the electrical coupler 50 includes one or more circuits, such as circuits 66, 67, configured to sense a voltage potential on one or more electrical conductors received within the electrical coupler (block 302). In various examples, the circuit includes a capacitor arranged to sense a voltage potential present on one of the one or more electrical conductors received within the electrical coupler 50. The capacitor arranged to sense the voltage potential may be a capacitor formed on a clip within the electrical coupler, such as capacitor 144 shown and described with respect to fig. 5A, or capacitor 153 shown and described with respect to fig. 5B. In some examples, the capacitor arranged to sense voltage may be a plurality of capacitors arranged, for example, in a series-parallel configuration as shown by capacitor 194 in fig. 7, or a plurality of capacitors coupled in series as shown, for example, by capacitor 202 in fig. 8A.

The method 300 further includes controlling illumination of an illumination device disposed about an outer perimeter of the electrical coupler 50 based on the sensed voltage potential (block 304). In various examples, controlling the lighting of the lighting device includes providing a reduced sensed voltage level to control an LED driver circuit, such as the optocoupler 112, the voltage divider network formed by the resistors 114, 115, and the LED driver circuit 118 shown and described with respect to fig. 4. In various examples, the control circuit may include a capacitor 194 coupled to a bridge circuit 196 as shown and described with respect to fig. 7. In various examples, the control circuit may include a capacitor 202 and series-coupled diodes 205, 206 as shown and described with respect to fig. 8A. The lighting device controlled by the circuit may be an LED arranged in the lighting channel 77 of the lighting coupling 52 provided as part of the electrical coupler 50. Examples of illumination couplings with illumination channels are shown and described with respect to fig. 9A-9D. For example, wires from the lighting device to circuitry configured to control the lighting of the lighting device are shown and described with respect to fig. 10A.

The control of the illumination of the lighting device according to the method 300 may include any control technique for the illumination of the lighting device to provide an indication of the presence and/or absence of a voltage potential sensed on a portion of an electrical conductor received, secured and/or terminated within the electrical coupler 50 or an electrical terminal disposed within the electrical coupler 50. The illumination of the lighting device may include control of the lighting device to provide a visual indication of the presence and/or absence of one or more voltage potentials within the electrical coupler 50 around the outer perimeter of the electrical coupler 50, which may be visible from any angle around the electrical coupler perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the electrical coupler. The control of the illumination device may include control of the illumination device to provide a visible colored light output indicating the presence and/or absence of a voltage potential on each of a plurality of power electrical conductors disposed within the electrical coupler 50.

Various examples have been described. These examples, as well as others, are within the scope of the following claims.