US 11,859,370 B2
Multi-tiered interface between conductor rod and work machine
Igor Strashny, Tucson, AZ (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on Nov. 24, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/535,166.
Prior Publication US 2023/0160177 A1, May 25, 2023
Int. Cl. E02F 9/20 (2006.01); E02F 9/22 (2006.01); H01R 13/631 (2006.01)
CPC E02F 9/207 (2013.01) [E02F 9/22 (2013.01); H01R 13/6315 (2013.01); H01R 2201/26 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a substantially rigid outer tube with a first end and a second end, the outer tube having a first outer surface, a first inner surface defining a first diameter, a first inner space defined by the first inner surface, and an axis extending substantially centrally through the inner space from the first end to the second end;
a first cylindrical conductor disposed concentrically around the axis, at least in part, within the first inner space, the first conductor having a second outer surface and a second inner surface, wherein the second outer surface defines a second diameter less than the first diameter;
a second cylindrical conductor disposed concentrically around the axis, at least in part, within the first inner space, the second conductor having a third outer surface and a third inner surface defining a second inner space, wherein the third outer surface defines a third diameter less than the second diameter; and
a head-end interface, comprising:
a first tier comprising a first planar surface extending substantially perpendicular to the axis, and a first substantially cylindrical outer surface extending from the first planar surface, the first substantially cylindrical outer surface defining:
a fourth diameter, and
a first height as measured from the first planar surface to a base of the head-end interface, wherein the outer tube is affixed to the first tier at an internal surface of the head-end interface using a first set of terminal connectors;
a second tier comprising a second planar surface extending substantially perpendicular to the axis, and a second substantially cylindrical outer surface extending from the second planar surface, the second substantially cylindrical outer surface defining:
a fifth diameter, and
a second height as measured from the second planar surface to the first planar surface, wherein the first conductor is affixed to the second tier at the internal surface of the head-end interface using a second set of terminal connectors; and
a third tier comprising a third planar surface extending substantially perpendicular to the axis, and a third substantially cylindrical outer surface extending from the third planar surface, the third substantially cylindrical outer surface defining:
a sixth diameter, and
a third height as measured from the third planar surface to the second planar surface, wherein the second conductor is affixed to the third tier at the internal surface of the head-end interface using a third set of terminal connectors.