High current capacity electrical connector

Patent · Mon Jan 12 23:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:862443

Bettis, Edward S ^[1]; Watts, Harry L ^[2]

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1. Oak Ridge, TN
2. Lake City, TN

An electrical connector is provided for coupling high current capacity electrical conductors such as copper busses or the like. The connector is arranged in a "sandwiched" configuration in which a conductor plate contacts the busses along major surfaces thereof clamped between two stainless steel backing plates. The conductor plate is provided with a plurality of contact buttons affixed therein in a spaced array such that the caps of the buttons extend above the conductor plate surface to contact the busses. When clamping bolts provided through openings in the sandwiched arrangement are tightened, Belleville springs provided under the rim of each button cap are compressed and resiliently force the caps into contact with the busses' contacting surfaces to maintain a predetermined electrical contact area provided by the button cap tops. The contact area does not change with changing thermal or mechanical stresses applied to the coupled conductors.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States Energy (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 3932014
• Application Number: 05/560,428
• OSTI ID: 862443
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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affixed
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arranged
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busses
button
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cap
capacity
capacity electrical
caps
change
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clamped
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compressed
conductor
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contact
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extend
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major
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mechanical
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openings
plate
plate surface
plates
plurality
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predetermined electric
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provided
resiliently
rim
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spaced
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springs
stainless
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surface
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therein
thermal
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