hydraulic electrical crimping tool

A hydraulic tool for crimping electrical connectors having a die head subassembly in which the moveable power ram is constrained to axial movement along its power cylinder axis and prevented from rotating about the cylinder axis or canting as it moves outwardly of the cylinder during a connector crimping operation.

Abstract:
A hydraulic crimping tool crimping die including a first section adapted to be removably connected to a die mounting area of a hydraulic crimping tool, and a second section forming a crimping surface adapted to crimp a connector onto a conductor. The crimping die comprises an electrically non-conductive material adapted to prevent electrical arcing with the crimping die.
Claims:
1. A hydraulic crimping tool crimping die comprising a first section adapted to be removably connected to a die mounting area of a hydraulic crimping tool, and a second section forming a crimping surface adapted to crimp a connector onto a conductor, wherein the crimping die consists of an electrically non-conductive material adapted to prevent electrical arcing with the crimping die.

2. A crimping die as in claim 1 wherein the crimping die comprises a one-piece member forming the first and second sections.

3. A crimping die as in claim 2 wherein the one-piece member comprises a plastic or polymer member.

4. A crimping die as in claim 2 wherein the one-piece member comprises a ceramic member.

5. A crimping die as in claim 1 wherein the crimping die comprises a plastic or polymer member forming a majority of the crimping die.

6. A crimping die as in claim 1 wherein the crimping die comprises a ceramic member forming a majority of the crimping die.

7. A crimping die as in claim 1 wherein the crimping die comprises a metal core member and an insulating member on the metal core member.

8. A hydraulic crimping tool crimping die comprising a first section adapted to be removably connected to a die mounting area of a hydraulic crimping tool, and a second section comprising a crimping surface adapted to crimp a connector onto a conductor, wherein the crimping die comprises an electrically insulating material at a majority of an exterior surface of the die which is adapted to prevent electrical arcing with the die.

9. A crimping die as in claim 8 wherein the crimping die comprises a one-piece member forming the first and second sections.

10. A crimping die as in claim 9 wherein the one-piece member comprises a plastic or polymer member.

11. A crimping die as in claim 9 wherein the one-piece member comprises a ceramic member.

12. A crimping die as in claim 8 wherein the crimping die comprises a plastic or polymer member forming a majority of the crimping die.

13. A crimping die as in claim 8 wherein the crimping die comprises a ceramic member forming a majority of the crimping die.

14. A crimping die as in claim 8 wherein the crimping die comprises a metal core member and the insulating material on the metal core member.

15. A method of manufacturing a hydraulic tool crimping die comprising:injecting a polymer material into a mold; andforming the crimping die in the mold with a first section adapted to be removably connected to a die mounting area of a hydraulic crimping tool and a second section having a crimping surface adapted to crimp a connector onto a conductor, wherein the die is adapted to withstand a compression force of at least 10,000 psi without permanent deformation, and wherein the die is adapted to prevent electrical arcing with the die.

16. A method as in claim 15 wherein the polymer material forms the first and the second sections.

17. A method as in claim 15 wherein the polymer material is overmolded onto a core member.

18. A method as in claim 15 wherein the polymer material forms a one-piece member which comprises the first section and/or the second section.

19. A method of manufacturing a hydraulic tool crimping die comprising:inserting a ceramic powder into a mold; andhardening the ceramic powder into at least a portion of the crimping die,wherein the crimping die comprises a first section adapted to be removably connected to a die mounting area of a hydraulic crimping tool and second section forming a crimping surface adapted to crimp a connector onto a conductor, wherein the die is adapted to withstand a compression force of at least 10,000 psi without permanent deformation, and wherein the die is adapted to prevent electrical arcing with the die.