Low impedance grounding electrode with universal connections and rapid access cap

Abstract

An all stainless steel grounding electrode uses a coating of stainless steel for an upper collar which has a dual purpose cable connector. The cable connector can accommodate a cable lug and bolt connection or a cad weld connection. A cap for the collar has a one quarter turn dual heavy duty thread set to prevent corrosion from locking up the cap. An osmotic material is placed and replaced in the grounding electrode via the cap.

1. A grounding electrode comprising:
 a cylindrical stainless steel tube having a bottom and having a top segment; 
 a stainless steel collar attached to the top segment of the stainless steel tube; 
 said stainless steel collar having an attachment lug with a rod to provide a weld connection to a cable end, and having a plate with a mounting hole to receive a bolt for a the cable end with a bracket connector; 
 said stainless steel collar having a stainless steel top with at least two recesses to receive in each recess a male thread segment of a stainless steel cap; and 
 wherein a one quarter turn of the cap locks each male thread segment into a respective female thread segment of the stainless steel collar. 
 
     
     
       2. The grounding electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the cap further comprises a square bolt head lug for accepting a wrench. 
     
     
       3. The grounding electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical stainless steel tube is filled with an osmotic material. 
     
     
       4. The grounding electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the lug rod is connected to the plate. 
     
     
       5. The grounding electrode of  claim 4 , wherein the plate is aligned in a vertical plane below the rod. 
     
     
       6. The grounding electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the collar and the lug are made in a one piece mold. 
     
     
       7. The grounding electrode of  claim 6 , wherein the collar is attached to the top segment of the stainless steel tube by means of a weld. 
     
     
       8. The grounding electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the plate is located on an opposite side of the collar from the lug rod. 
     
     
       9. An all stainless steel grounding electrode comprising:
 a cylindrical tube having a bottom to contain and an osmotic material; 
 a collar welded to a top segment of the tube; 
 said collar having a dual purpose lug for connection to a grounding cable; 
 wherein a rod projects from the collar for a purpose of welding a cable end thereto; 
 wherein a plate having a mounting hole projects from the collar for a purpose of bolting a bracket end of a the cable thereto; 
 said collar having at least two recesses integrated into at least two female threads; 
 a cap having at least two male threads designed to lock into a respective female thread of the collar; and 
 wherein the male threads lock into the female threads with a one quarter turn of the cap. 
 
     
     
       10. The grounding electrode of  claim 9 , wherein the plate is connected to the rod and extends from the collar below the rod. 
     
     
       11. The grounding electrode of  claim 9 , wherein the plate is located on an opposite side of the collar from the rod. 
     
     
       12. A grounding electrode comprising:
 a hollow cylindrical container with a closed bottom and an open top; 
 a collar connected to the top; 
 said collar having a mounting flange with a hole and having a mounting lug oriented about 180° from the mounting flange; 
 said collar having a top ledge supporting a support ring; 
 said support ring having a first male thread member projecting outbound from the support ring and having a taper, wherein a first tapered recess is formed between the top ledge and the first male thread member; 
 said support ring having a second male thread member oriented about 180° from the first male thread member; 
 wherein a second recess is formed having a an image of the first recess; 
 a top having a smooth outside edge with the a lower ridge; 
 said lower ridge having a first thread member projecting inbound designed to be received in the first recess, and a second thread member projecting inbound designed to be received in the second recess; 
 said top having a bolt head tightening fixture; and 
 wherein a one quarter turn of the top locks the first and second male thread members into their respective first and second recess of the top. 
 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the container, collar and top are all made of stainless steel. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the top further comprises a vent hole. 
     
     
       15. A grounding electrode comprising:
 a cylindrical tube having a bottom and having a top segment;   a collar attached to the top segment of the tube;   said collar having an attachment lug with a rod to provide a weld connection to a cable end, and having a plate with a mounting hole to receive a bolt for the cable end with a bracket connector;   said collar having a top with at least two recesses to receive in each recess a male thread segment of a cap; and   wherein a one-quarter turn of the cap locks each male thread segment into a respective female thread segment of the collar.   
     
     
       16. The grounding electrode of claim 15, wherein the cap further comprises a square bolt head lug for accepting a wrench. 
     
     
       17. The grounding electrode of claim 15, wherein the cylindrical tube is filled with an osmotic material. 
     
     
       18. The grounding electrode of claim 15, wherein the lug rod is connected to the plate. 
     
     
       19. The grounding electrode of claim 18, wherein the plate is aligned in a vertical plane below the rod. 
     
     
       20. The grounding electrode of claim 15, wherein the collar and the lug are made in a one piece mold. 
     
     
       21. The grounding electrode of claim 20, wherein the collar is attached to the top segment of the tube by means of a weld. 
     
     
       22. The grounding electrode of claim 15, wherein the plate is located on an opposite side of the collar from the lug rod. 
     
     
       23. The grounding electrode of claim 15, wherein said turn of the cap is a one quarter turn. 
     
     
       24. A grounding electrode comprising:
 a cylindrical tube having a bottom to contain an osmotic material;   a collar connected to a top segment of the tube;   said collar having a lug for connection to a grounding cable;   wherein a rod projects from the collar for a purpose of welding a cable end thereto;   wherein a plate having a mounting hole projects from the collar for a purpose of bolting a bracket end of the cable thereto;   said collar having at least two recesses integrated into at least two female threads;   a cap having at least two male threads designed to lock into a respective female thread of the collar; and   wherein the male threads lock into the female threads with a one-quarter turn of the cap.   
     
     
       25. The grounding electrode of claim 24, wherein the plate is connected to the rod and extends from the collar below the rod. 
     
     
       26. The grounding electrode of claim 24, wherein the plate is located on an opposite side of the collar from the rod.