Coupling with hard metallic ductile conductive coating
US5786976A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 16, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jul 28, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 16, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R13/6485
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A coupling for preventing the buildup of static electricity between adjacent conduits includes first and second threadably engageable coupling members in electrical contact with the adjacent conduits. The threads are coated with a hard metallic ductile conductive coating which is preferably a boron-nickel coating, to provide electrical conductivity between the coupling members. The coating has a relatively low co-efficient of friction so as to prevent binding of the threads during threading. In one embodiment, a detent spring, which includes one or more resilient detents, is rotatable with one coupling member and engages with a notch or notches on the other coupling member to provide a frictional force against relative rotation between the coupling members as the coupling members threadably engage. The coupling members may be entirely coated with the boron-nickel coating, or selectively coated to provide the required electrical conductivity between the coupling members. A bonding wire in electrical contact with each coupling member makes redundant electrical contact with the conduits.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.