Coupling with insulated flanges
US5959828A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 17, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 28, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 17, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64D45/02
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A coupling for preventing the buildup of static electricity between adjacent conduits includes a sleeve enclosed by pivotally connected semicircular segments. The semicircular segments are in electrical contact with first and second conduits via bonding wires. The semicircular segments, bonding wires, and/or flanges are coated with a hard metallic ductile conductive coating, which is preferably a boron-nickel coating, to provide electrical conductivity between the conduits. The coupling may be entirely coated with the boron-nickel coating, or selectively coated to provide the required electrical conductivity between the conduits. The conduits include flanges mounted on the ends thereof. Each flange is selectively coated with a hard anodized, dry-lube, thin-film non-conductive, or other insulating coating to reduce or prevent arcing on the interior of the coupling under lighting strike or other hazardous electrical conditions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.